CoJ committed to investigate allegations against Pikitup MD

In a media release issued on April 6, Pikitup stated that Johannesburg executive mayor, Clr Parks Tau, said the CoJ is “Committed to investigating allegations against the managing director of Pikitup within the legal framework, which prohibits us from starting an investigation of allegations with a suspension without any basis for that action.”

“It was wrong of labour to disrupt interviews as a way of dealing with management and then taking to the streets without following due processes in place for labour disputes.

“We cannot be placed in a situation where we have to consult labour when we must appoint an MD or a supervisor,” said Clr Tau.

“The house heard that the 4 000 Pikitup workers have been found guilty in a recent disciplinary hearing for their participation in an unprotected work stoppage.

“The city is now awaiting recommendations on sanctions for the respective individual employees. The hearings were held on March 29, 30, 31 and concluded on Tuesday April 5, whereby the workers were found guilty on charges of gross misconduct related to their participation in the ongoing unprotected industrial action,” Pikitup stated.

Johannesburg Speaker of Council, Clr Connie Bapela, said the extraordinary sitting was convened in terms of Rule 16 of the Standing Rules of Council 2013.

“This was in order to afford the mayor an opportunity to brief council on interventions underway to resolve the current labour impasse and restore waste management services to normality,” she said.