Four Tshwane vehicles torched, bus services grounded again as striking workers allegedly are at the helm of violence
“Two members were injured and taken to hospital. The members are responsible for the protection of the city’s assets such as the depots and substations.”
At least four metro vehicles at the Prince’s Park depot in Pretoria CBD have been set alight, leaving two Tshwane employees injured on Wednesday.
The incidents left the vehicles charred and two metro workers had to receive treatment for injuries.
Tshwane EMS spokesperson Charles Mabaso said the firefighters’ team was dispatched to Kgosi Mampuru and Pretorius streets, where a light motor vehicle and a bakkie had allegedly been set alight by protesters.
He said the team had to wait for law enforcement agencies to secure their teams before extinguishing the fire.
Tshwane metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba confirmed the torching of its vehicles by alleged striking employees.
“They were torched outside the Princess Park depot along Nana Sita (westbound), Charlotte Maxeke and Es’kia Mphahlele streets.
A water truck which belongs to the city was set alight that had drawn water from the depot for delivery to Region 4 informal settlements.
“The driver was physically assaulted but managed to escape. Fortunately, he didn’t sustain serious injuries.”
Bokaba said another of the torched vehicles belongs to Tshwane’s asset protection monitoring unit.
“Two metro members were injured and taken to hospital. The members are responsible for the protection of the city’s assets, such as the depots and substations. At the time of the ambush, they were monitoring the depots.”
Tshwane buses that were operating on Wednesday were allegedly recalled, however, the metro was yet to comment.
Tshwane bus services (TBS) and A Re Yeng bus operations have experienced turbulence since the unlawful strike action started eight weeks ago.
On Wednesday, limited TBS buses were dispatched to areas such as Tuine, The Orchards, Waterkloof, Moreletapark, Wonderboom and Monumentpark. However, because of intimidation and violence, the TBS fleet was grounded with immediate effect.
A Re Yeng confirmed via social media that, due to the prevailing strike in Tshwane, bus operations were suspended with immediate effect.
The 160 TBS fleet has been recalled numerous times this week. It also did not operate for over a month, owing to the strike action.
🚨⚠️OPERATIONS SUSPENDED
Dear Commuters
Please note that due to the prevailing strike in the City, bus operations are suspended with immediate effect.
We profusely apologise for the inconvenience caused and advise that you use alternative transport. @CityTshwane https://t.co/ut38Pa7Vze
— A RE YENG (@A_RE_YENG) September 13, 2023
Road and Transport MMC Katlego Mathebe addressed media from a metro bus stop via video on Tuesday. Mathebe said buses were recalled as there were no commuters at the bus stops.
She said staffers had been intimidated on Monday.
Social media users, however have labelled Tshwane as “liars”, claiming they have waited for buses in vain.
Bokaba said 12 drivers pitched up for duty on Tuesday morning.
Only two buses went out for the 04:30 shift, but there were no commuters to pick up. The buses returned to the depot.
Bokaba said four drivers called in “sick”, while seven employees were served with dismissal letters for “supporting the strike action”, which the Labour Court declared unlawful and unprotected.
“The seven employees – dubbed strike instigators – are accused of preventing the buses from being prepared for operations.”
Bokaba said five were Samwu shop stewards.
“They allegedly intimidated their non-striking colleagues at the C De Wet depot in the Pretoria CBD.
“The seven instigators have been given 24 hours to make representations as to why they shouldn’t be permanently dismissed.
“Tshwane Roads and Transport will reissue the instruction to TBS employees to service the afternoon operations, failing which disciplinary action will be instituted, which will include the issuing of letters of intention to dismiss.”
South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) general secretary Dumisani Magagula said the union would fight for the dismissed employees.
“Tshwane has also illegally and procedurally dismissed dozens of workers, while many workers have had their salaries withheld, as there are claims that these workers have not been working. As a union, we have been and will continue challenging these dismissals and the illegal withholding of workers’ salaries.”
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