Metro takes “extraordinary step” on switching teams’ failure to execute duties
The city said it issued 89 letters to switching teams that alleged they were being intimidated.
Tshwane metro has issued 89 letters to electricity switching teams for failure to perform their duties during the unprotected strike by its workers.
The letters come amid widespread outages in various regions of Tshwane, some of which have been without power for more than a week.
“The switching teams who play a critical role in the electricity value chain had absconded from work for the second week now claiming to be intimidated by their fellow striking colleagues,” the metro said in a media statement.
It explained that switching teams are the first response to electricity outages.
Their duties include isolating faults, issuing permits for testing or working permits if needed. They are also responsible for restoring power on 11kv network faults.
Switching teams from all regions, except region 7, were given until Monday at 11:00, August 7, to provide written responses to the letters.
“The City has instructed them, in writing, to identify the persons/employees who are intimidating or preventing them from performing their duties.”
Tshwane said that failure to identify alleged intimidators will result in them being deemed to be part of the unprotected and unlawful strike.
It said that all applicable provisions to striking employees would be applied to them too.
“Various parts of the city have been plunged into darkness due to the ongoing unlawful and unprotected strike by employees affiliated to the trade union Samwu since Monday, July 24.”
“The switching teams whose duty it is to attend electricity outages have failed to carry out their duties claiming to be intimidated by their fellow striking employees.”
Last week, the Labour Court in Braamfontein granted the City of Tshwane an interim interdict against striking workers.
The court granted the interdict on July 28.
It effectively prohibits workers from engaging in any illegal activity that disrupts the city’s service delivery or causes destruction of public property.
The metro has since approached the court again on an urgent basis for contempt of court.
It said that the judgement was reserved to Monday, August 7.
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