JMPD and Pikitup to restore order to refuse collection chaos
JOBURG – whilst we respect the right of the public to protest, it is unacceptable that such protest is conducted in an unlawful and violent manner.
City of Joburg’s Pikitup employees has been on illegal and violent protests since July 26.
Pikitup spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi made this announcement and said protestors are demanding permanent employment from Pikitup regardless of the resources and capacity available.
“The illegal protestors have stoned Pikitup and Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) trucks, petrol bombed and caused serious damage to Pikitup depots and intimidated city employees. The protesters are alleged to have doused petrol on a senior Pikitup official at the most recent protest yesterday.
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“All these criminal acts are aimed to bring essential service to a halt for their personal benefits.
“Regrettably, the residents of Joburg suffer the consequences of this selfish and criminal behaviour,” he said.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) teamed up with Pikitup to curb the continuation of the illegal strike.
These are some of the actions JMPD has taken to address the issue in their efforts to protect city properties, vehicles and employees:
• Intensified deployment of metro police to all Pikitup depots to maintain peace and order.
• Provide police escort to Pikitup trucks and operation staff so they can resume refuse collection without been intimidated or harmed.
• A criminal case has been opened with SAPS to investigate and the imminent arrest of perpetrators.
“Whilst we respect the right of the public to protest, it is unacceptable that such protest is conducted in an unlawful and violent manner. JMPD has been given a directive that any criminal attempting to hold the City to ransom by disrupting service delivery will be arrested to face the full might of the law,” said MMC for Public Safety Clr Michael Sun.
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Providing developments on the matter, MMC for Infrastructure and Environment Services Nico de Jager advised residents to dispose of their waste in Pikitup’s garden sites until the situation calms down.
“Pikitup will be able to deal with all the service backlogs once the situation is conducive for it to render services to the residents,” he said.
