The City of Joburg waste management entity, Pikitup, spends an additional R50 000 a day to clean the waste that is piling up in the city due to ongoing intimidation by former Jozi@Work contractors.
This is according to the managing director of Pikitup, Lungile Dlamini, who briefed the media on 7 September in Braamfontein. Dlamini was accompanied by Member of the Mayoral Committee for Development Planning, councillor Funzela Ngobeni and the chairperson of the Pikitup board, Bhekisisa Shongwe.
Dlamini said spending R50 000 a day on waste removal is due to violent protests by former Jozi@Work cooperatives who allegedly assaulted Pikitup employees.
He said former Jozi@Work contractors threatened Pikitup employees and also harassed them for over a week to prevent them from doing their jobs. “They have been on a rampage after [their] demands for permanent employment had been turned down,” said Dlamini.
“What is upsetting is that Pikitup workers are prevented from making sure that the city is kept clean. [This] has serious health implications for residents, and having to make use of additional resources and cleaning shifts is costing the City R50 000 per day.”
Earlier in May, Ngobeni said the three-month Pikitup contracts signed by former Jozi@Work beneficiaries through the City’s Expanded Public Works Programme expired.
“We wish to reiterate that we have been clear about the temporary and rotational nature of the contracts and have at no point stated or implied that anyone would be entitled to an extension, or that the three-month contracts would result in full-time employment,” said Ngobeni.
Pikitup’s cleaning schedule has been severely disrupted, and officials said they would clean the mess under the watchful eye of Metro police in an effort to protect their employees.
“We are working closely with the Metro police and the Yeoville, Hillbrow and Joburg central South African Police to ensure that our employees can work in safety and that perpetrators are held to account.”
Details: 011 712 5200.
Read:
Lungile Dhlamini appointed as new managing director of Pikitup
Metro police called in to ensure safety of Pikitup workers
