Update: Violence escalating in municipal strike
Chaos continued throughout the week at the country’s best managed municipality, now besieged by protests.
A court order has been obtained by the municipality, but protesters are relentless with their demands, defying orders to stay at least 500m away from municipal buildings.
The SAPS were summoned on Tuesday and again today, following Friday’s violent lockdown of the civic centre by employees siding with traffic officers facing suspension.
Meanwhile the noose is tightening around the necks of traffic wardens who took part in an impromptu strike, during which the public was pepper sprayed in the civic centre and licencing department, a fortnight ago.
The officers were served with suspension papers on Friday, but conjured up massive support from fellow employees mostly employed in the electrical, waste and parks departments.
More than 100 employees blockaded all entrances to the municipality while shop stewards cornered Mayor Mike Masina and acting Municipal Manager, Mr Mandla Mnguni, in the Mayor’s office on Friday.
Negotiations however reached a stalemate and Walter Sisulu Street was trashed by the protesters on Tuesday night, spurring the municipality to call for harsh action by the police against perpetrators.
Ms Felicia Nkosi, who owns her own business in the CBD, said that she was threatened by a throng of rampaging protesters to close shop, or face destruction of property.
Reports of protesters urinating and slamming on cars have also started to come through.
The traffic department has long been the bane of the municipality with ill discipline regularly making headlines, and unprovoked assaults on motorists regularly being challenged in court.
Complaints against traffic officers became so rife, that the municipality sent the officers to anger management courses during 2013 and 2014.
The nature of the protests have shifted from overtime and danger pay demands, to a full blown war against the administration to withdraw suspension notices.
They further demand that no disciplinary actions be taken against them, as it may lead to their dismissal for unlawful conduct.
Protesters gathered at the municipal licencing offices today, again blockading entrances and intimidating the public.
Residents have been warned to steer clear of the municipality until matters are resolved.
Mayor Masina told the Middelburg Observer that he would address the situation publicly after a meeting with management scheduled this morning.
The public has voiced its disappointment with the police on Middelburg Observer media platforms since the start of the violence.
Residents are also calling on the municipality to sack all employees involved in the unprotected strike.
Read previous stories here:
Video: Pepper spray, threats, as traffic officers go on strike
Update: ‘Law enforcers lawless’ MM says
