Yesterday, the City of Tshwane was granted an interim interdict against its striking employees by the Labour Court in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
The City approached the Labour Court on an urgent basis following a week-long unlawful and illegal protest by employees affiliated to the labour movement SAMWU who intimidated their non-striking colleagues and caused damage to property.
The court correctly declared the strike action unlawful and unprotected, and ordered the striking employees to disperse. The court further restrained employees from participating in the unlawful strike and unprotected strike action and performing any acts in continuance or furtherance thereof.
Furthermore, striking employees are interdicted and restrained from performing any acts of destruction of City of Tshwane property and any private or public property, or from performing acts of intimidation towards any of the City’s employees.
A total of 15 employees have been arrested and charged with public violence and are facing three internal charges which may lead to their dismissal.
The City of Tshwane trusts that the SAMWU leadership will respect and comply with the court order and allow the striking employees to return to work and discharge their responsibilities of providing service delivery to residents and customers.
The City will put a plan in place to fast-track the backlog of service interruptions occasioned by the unlawful and unprotected strike.
The executive and management of the City wishes to apologise for the inconvenience caused.