Mayor De Lille condemns violent SAMWU strike
This administration condemns the unacceptably high levels of reported violence, intimidation of non-striking workers and property damage by SAMWU workers during the strike.
This administration respects the right of workers to strike as a fundamental labour right in our democracy. We do not respect the exploitation of those rights to cause damage and threaten others.
This undermines the principle of labour organisation and the dignity of many members of our workforce. We must all stand united against lawlessness as our duty to the people of this city.
Today, I call on the leader of the opposition in the City Council, Cllr. Tony Ehrenreich to join me in condemning illegal behaviour and to support the City claiming for damages from SAMWU.
It our duty as public representatives to protect the integrity of this city, the safety of the people who work for it and those who live in it.
We have received a number of reports of violence and intimidation from around the city. We will soon undertake the process of reviewing the City's CCTV footage of the strikers.
The City will identify those employees who have acted in an unlawful manner against the safety of our employees, members of our community and public property. Where we find evidence of criminal behaviour, we will consider instituting both disciplinary and possibly criminal charges against the offenders.
The City will also assess all damages to property by SAMWU and its members and we shall reserve the right to claim these costs from SAMWU, as we have done in the past.
The City is also in the process of requesting a written undertaking from SAMWU by the close of business on Wednesday 17 August 2011 of their intention to comply with the concerns expressed by us regarding this unacceptably high level of violence.
Residents are requested to please report any acts of violence or vandalism related to the strike as well as incidents of intimidation or harassment of employees not participating in the strike, or members of the public, to the Metro Police Control Centre on 021 596 1999.
The strike has also had an impact on service delivery, especially refuse collection. While the City is trying to deal with the backlog, residents are reminded that if their refuse is not collected by 21:00 on the scheduled collection day, they should please move their bins back inside their properties and place them out the following week on the scheduled day. In informal settlements, residents must please make use of the shipping containers placed throughout their areas. We will keep residents informed of any developments regarding these arrangements.
Statement issued by the Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Patricia de Lille, August 16 2011
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