JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – City Power has noted the decision by the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) to embark on a strike commencing on Monday, 19 October 2015.
The threats that have been attributed to the union of a total blackout would if correct, constitute an act of sabotage against the City of Johannesburg and its residents.
Two years ago, a number of City Power employees embarked on an illegal strike that was characterised by illegal disconnections to electricity supply, resulting in some parts of Johannesburg being plunged into darkness.
City Power wishes to reiterate that its infrastructure has been declared a National Key Point installation. Any threats therefore against its network, or deliberate and illegal tampering with its property, constitutes an act that will be subject to criminal prosecution.
The rendering of electricity supply services by City Power is also classified as an essential service and the disruption of the electricity supply by a strike will be unlawful at the outset.
City Power Chairperson, Rev Frank Chikane and the Board of City Power, have requested SAMWU to provide concrete evidence to support their allegation concerning the integrity of the Managing Director, Mr Sicelo Xulu. This is still not forthcoming from SAMWU.
The City Power Board wishes to reaffirm its commitment to resolving the matter as speedily and amicably as possible.
City Power perceives this threat by the trade union to be contrary to the interest of the broader union membership. City Power wishes to reiterate its absolute commitment to the highest level of sound labour relations.
City Power wishes to assure ratepayers that it has already put contingency plans in place to ensure that Johannesburg power supplies are not affected in the lead up to, during and after the threatened period of the strike.
City Power has also taken note that some of employees who were previously contracted to Grinpal have not arrived for work. City Power is committed to maintaining a high level of performance and to that end, internal disciplinary process have been instituted against these individuals.
City Power have an obligation to provide quality service to the residents of Johannesburg and will therefore not tolerate any levels of non-performance.
