Pikitup has defended its recruitment process after contract workers accused the entity of years of broken promises, saying all appointments must comply with the Labour Relations Act.
The response follows a protest by contract workers at the Waterval depot on July 8 over delayed permanent employment. The workers, who are employed through contractors, claim many have been working at Pikitup depots since the Covid-19 pandemic, while others say they have been waiting since 2019 to be absorbed into permanent positions. They allege recruitment processes have repeatedly begun before being delayed or cancelled.

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According to the protesters, Pikitup held interviews with them earlier this year, and they expected to receive permanent appointments in April. They were later informed that the appointments had been delayed because of budget constraints, but were assured they would instead be appointed on July 1. Workers then said they were instructed via SMS to report for assessments in Marlborough, only to be notified a day before that the assessments had been cancelled. They later received communication stating that the recruitment process had been called off entirely.

Protester Justice Makabela said workers were frustrated after years of waiting and repeated assurances that permanent appointments would happen.

Ward 88 councillor Nicolene Jonker said that if the workers’ allegations were correct, it was unacceptable for employees to remain in employment limbo for years. She said Pikitup owed workers a clear explanation for the repeated delays and cancellations, adding that long-serving contract workers deserved certainty, transparency, and fair treatment. Jonker said better communication would likely have prevented much of the uncertainty and frustration.

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Pikitup spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi confirmed the entity was aware of the work stoppage, during which casual workers blocked access to the depot and temporarily disrupted waste collection operations. He said Pikitup had continued engaging with the casual workers to find a solution, and confirmed that all employees, including casual workers, had resumed work later that day.

Responding to allegations that workers had been promised permanent employment, Mkhwanazi said Pikitup is a law-abiding corporate citizen that follows the Labour Relations Act and its own recruitment policies when filling vacancies. He said the legislation requires recruitment processes to be conducted fairly and transparently.

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