City and SAPS decline SAMWU's application to march on Monday

The South African Municipal Workers Union's (SAMWU) application to march on Monday 22 August 2011 has been declined.

At a meeting this morning with representatives of SAMWU, the City of Cape Town and the South African Police Services (SAPS) refused the march application because it was deemed a definite threat to safety and security in terms of the Gatherings Act.

This decision is based on SAMWU members' behaviour during their march on Tuesday 16 August 2011 as well as their multiple acts of violence and intimidation this week. In the event that SAMWU proceed with the march, it would be illegal in terms of the Gatherings Act and would be an infringement of the interim interdict granted on Thursday.

Yesterday, the City was forced to close the Khayelitsha Fire Station after SAMWU members intimidated non-striking workers into participating in the strike. The interim interdict reiterates the rule that, as an essential service, Fire and Rescue staff are not allowed to participate in strike action.

Meanwhile, staff at the City's Town Two Clinic had to be relocated following intimidation by SAMWU members, who then over-turned and emptied the Clinic's portable chemical toilets. Damages were also reported at the Strand Fire Station where protestors stoned the front door window and at the Nyanga Municipal Yard where they burned tyres. Later SAMWU members stoned Council vehicles in Strand, while across the City they forced their way inside the Fish Hoek Caravan Park, attempting to hurt staff and intimidate residents.

The City will continue to collect data about the damages caused by striking SAMWU members and the related costs. This information will be used for cases of disciplinary action as well as the recovery of costs from SAMWU where evidence can be provided showing their involvement.

Today 3655 City staff or 14,49% of the City's workforce was absent from work without authorisation. This includes staff who intended to come to work, but were prevented from doing so by striking SAMWU members.

Refuse collection remains the worst hit area of service delivery - not only because the Solid Waste Management Department is short-staffed as a result of the strike, but because of violence and intimidation by striking workers.

The Solid Waste Management Department is scheduling additional refuse collection services over the weekend to try and clear the backlog. Businesses and residents are requested to leave their refuse bins out over the weekend, from 06:30 on Saturday morning, until they are collected. If the refuse has not been collected by Sunday night, residents should please move their bins back inside their properties and place them out, together with any accumulation of bagged refuse, the following week on the scheduled day. In informal settlements, residents must please make use of the shipping containers placed throughout the area. The City will keep residents informed of the unfolding situation or amendments to this arrangement as required.

Residents are urged to assist the City during this time by not dumping waste and by not letting wet waste accumulate if not collected. The following drop-off sites will be open for domestic refuse on Mondays to Saturdays from 08:30 to 17:00 and on Sundays from 09:00 to 14:00:

Drop-off facilities are also available at the following disposal facilities:

For any queries regarding the drop-off facilities, residents can contact 021 442 8136.

Both strikes will run until wage negotiations with SALGA are finalised. SALGA has confirmed that it cannot afford to meet the demand of an 18% wage increase, and its offer of 6,08% still stands.

The City regrets the inconvenience during this difficult period and asks residents for their patience and cooperation to ensure that the city stays clean and safe in the weeks to come.

Statement issued by Alderman Demetri Qually, Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, City of Cape Town, August 19 2011

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