The City of Tshwane on Tuesday said it has begun sending letters terminating the jobs of striking employees said to be represented by the South Africa Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU).
Last week, the union reportedly distanced itself from the strike.
The Citizen quoted the union regional secretary Mpho Tladinyane saying: “Samwu has not called for any strike action within the City.”
Samwu said the striking staff were “Capacity workers” who’d been demanding that their fixed-term contracts be changed to permanent employment.
However, on Tuesday the City said Tshwane Mayor Randall Williams has begun issuing notices of intention to terminate employees involved in an illegal strike.
The City said it has continued to face some disruptions as a result of the “illegal strike” which started on 15 March.
These disruptions have been characterised by water interruptions and electricity blackouts in many parts of Tshwane.
“Today … 19 employees based at the Mayville Depot were issued with letters of intention to terminate their services for their continued involvement in the strike,” said the City.
“The employees are represented by the SAMWU. They have until Thursday 24 March to provide written reasons why their services should not be terminated.
“The City will thereafter take a decision on whether to terminate their services or not.”
The City said most of its employees were committed to their work and to serving the residents.
“They are willing to place their lives at risk in the face of intimidation, threats or even physical violence against their lives,” said City.
“One of our colleagues, Benjamin Dube ended up in Intensive Care after being attacked on the weekend after supporting teams who were responding to power outages in Soshanguve.
“Our thoughts are with him and his family as he recovers.
“We will not allow the work of the city to be derailed by small groups of individuals who seek to prevent their fellow colleagues from carrying out their duties.”
