THE Samwu-backed Pikitup protest rages on in Gauteng.
There was no peace in streets in Jozi’s Braamfontein today after cops battled workers blocking streets in Jozi’s Braamfontein.
Nine protesters were reportedly injured.
Protestors set rubbish bins ablaze in the CBD, blocked streets with rocks and threw rubbish around.
Police dispersed the crowd and metro cops were busy sorting out traffic jams.
Pikitup employees downed tools last Friday and launched protest action demanding pay rises and better working conditions.
They vowed to keep causing street chaos until their grievances were heard.
Samwu spokesman Conel Mackay, said they would meet Joburg City management yesterday.
“We hope this meeting comes with a resolution so that all this ends,” he said.
Constable Mduduzi Zondo of Hillbrow said the police intervened to monitor the situation, but no rubber bullets were used.
- Streets all overGauteng are full of smelly rubbish scattered by gatvol Pikitup workers.
People told Daily Sun that protesters emptied bins on streets wherever they went. - In Braamfontein where the protests kept breaking out shopkeepers were busy clearing pavements in front of their stores.
“We can’t stand it,” said shopkeeper Siyabonga Dlamini (52). “It smells terrible and will chase our customers away if not cleaned up. - In Joburg’s heavily littered CBD, resident Nobantu Mkhonza (38) said: “This is not right. Just because Pikitup is on strike doesn’t mean we all have to suffer. We will get sick.”
- In other parts of Gauteng, rubbish hasn’t been collected since the strike began.
In Alexander, Soweto, Thembisa, and other parts of Ekurhuleni, residents complained about smelly bins. A resident of Soweto’s Chiawelo said: “Bins have been lined up for days waiting to be collected, but no one comes.
“Our kids are in danger, playing with all sorts of rubbish. They could get diseases.”
