By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
City of Johannesburg Waste Management Entity Pikiup has obtained a court interdict against striking workers disrupting operations at their depots.
It has been more than a week since the workers began a tools-down operation. And numerous locations in Johannesburg are still littered with uncollected rubbish.
Protesters have shut down depots, demanding that the entity gives them permanent employment.
Pikitup spokesperson Anthony Selepe says permanent employees remain on duty.
“The workers protesting are workers who have been employed by the service providers contracted by Pikitup. They are not necessarily Pikitup employees.
“Our employees are continuing with their work, but they are disrupted by these disgruntled workers.
“We only have four depots not functioning out of twelve. We are looking forward to get the remaining depots functioning by Wednesday.
“We also have an interdict against these employees that are blocking our gates, disrupting services,” he added.
The entity says it has implemented a no-work-pay principle for all striking workers.
On Friday, Pikitup deployed the Public Order Policing (POP) unit to remove protesters who were obstructing depots, ensuring employees could resume waste collection services for City of Johannesburg residents.
Protesters including Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) employees, whose contracts were expiring, and community members blocked entrances to the Norwood, Selby, Marlboro, Randburg, Diepsloot, Midrand and Roodepoort depots. They were all demanding permanent employment with the waste management company.
The entity encouraged residents in affected areas to dispose of their waste at Pikitup’s integrated waste management facilities while the matter was being resolved.