Pikitup teams up with Metro police to tackle protesters disrupting their activities
JOBURG – Siege facing Pikitup results in more delays for refuse collection.
Metro police intends to help Pikitup in order to ensure the waste management service provider can resume their rubbish collection services.
Pikitup has been rocked by illegal and violent protests since 26 July this year which has resulted in the disruption of their refuse collection.
The Waterval depot in Albertsville is one of the centres that have experienced these protests.
Former employees of the waste management entity are demanding that Pikitup give them permanent employment regardless of the resources and capacity available.
Life threatening situation out side Pikitup's Selby Depot this morning, Pikitup employees cannot service the area pic.twitter.com/C4QSt8KcQz
— Pikitup (@CleanerJoburg) September 5, 2018
This protest has forced the City to intensify the safety and security of their staff, property and vehicles by teaming up with Metro police.
The aim of this collaboration is to allow Pikitup to resume their activities through the following means:
- Intensify the 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.
Another Pikitup stoned in Westbury, services in the area have been affected pic.twitter.com/vRGLyGjtrX
— Pikitup (@CleanerJoburg) September 5, 2018
In a statement by the City of Johannesburg, the City addressed the violence they have faced by these protesters.
The statement said, “The illegal protesters have stoned Pikitup and Johannesburg Development Agency trucks, petrol bombed and caused serious damage to Pikitup depots, intimidated City employees.
The protesters are alleged to have doused petrol on senior Pikitup official at the most recent protest on 4 September.”
Waterval RCR rnt done-areas are:Riverlea,Industria,
Parktown West,Richmond,
Jan Hofmeyer
Mayfair north
Newclare,Westcliff&
Parktown west.
Backlog areas Auckland Park Crosby,Westbury
Coronationville&Riverlea was attempted today but our trucks were stoned and windscreens smashed— Pikitup (@CleanerJoburg) September 5, 2018
MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun commented on the matter and said, “Whilst we respect the right of the public to protest, it is unacceptable that such protest is conducted in an unlawful and violent manner.
Metro police 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.”
#Pikitup While we continue to have challenges with job seekers in Midrand, Ivory Park and Soweto we encouraging residents to take refuse to the nearest dumpsite. Pikitup cannot endanger the lives of employees. Pikitup working closely with JMPD and SAPS to resolve @CleanerJoburg
— Nico De Jager (@NicoDeJager64) August 31, 2018
According to MMC for Infrastructure and Environment Services Nico de Jager, he has advised residents to dispose of their waste at Pikitup’s garden sites until the situation calms down.
He added, “Pikitup will be able to deal with all the service backlogs once the situation is conducive for it to render services to the residents.”
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