Frustrated contract workers staged a protest outside Pikitup’s Waterval depot on July 8, accusing the waste management entity of repeatedly delaying promises to appoint them to permanent positions.

The workers, who are employed through contractors, say many have been working at Pikitup depots since the Covid-19 pandemic, waiting to be absorbed into permanent posts.

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They claim recruitment processes have repeatedly started only to be postponed or cancelled.

According to the protesters, they were interviewed earlier this year, and initially expected to receive permanent appointments in April.

They were later told the appointments had been delayed because of budget constraints and were assured they would instead be appointed on July 1.

However, workers say that promise also failed to materialise.

They were subsequently instructed, via SMS, to report for assessments in Marlborough, only to be informed a day before that the assessments had been cancelled.

They later received notices stating that the recruitment process had been called off.

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“We’ve been given one promise after another, but nothing ever happens. We just want Pikitup to honour what we’ve been told for years,” said protester Justice Makabela.

Makabela said workers have been left in limbo, with no further communication after the recruitment process was cancelled.

The protesters are calling on Pikitup to provide clear answers on the status of the recruitment process and to fulfil, what they say are, longstanding commitments to offer them permanent employment.

The publication called Pikitup spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi for comment.

He stated that he would consult the Waterval depot and determine what steps would be taken. Their response will be updated once received.

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