President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured Johannesburg residents that waste collection services will resume following disruptions caused by a wage strike involving Pikitup employees affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU).
Ramaphosa addressed the issue while briefing the media at Hyde Park High School in Johannesburg on Wednesday, after casting his vote in the Local Government Elections alongside First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe.
Acknowledging the impact of the strike on municipal services, the President said the dispute had been settled and that service delivery must be restored.
“Services must be delivered. You spoke about refuse that you saw. Municipal workers have been on strike demanding certain benefits, which are rightfully theirs in terms of our labour laws, and that strike has been settled,” he said.
Ramaphosa also responded to concerns about water shortages affecting parts of Johannesburg and other areas in Gauteng.
He explained that Rand Water had experienced difficulties pumping water into reservoirs but confirmed that pumping operations had resumed.
“Rand Water has been having problems pumping water to the reservoirs, but they are now pumping water not only here in Johannesburg but beyond Gauteng to Mpumalanga,” he said.
The workers’ protest also involves outstanding benefits linked to the Politically Facilitated Agreement, which dates back to 2016.
Residents will be looking to see the full restoration of waste collection services following the President’s assurance.
