FOUR vehicles were torched, and two members of the Asset Protection Monitoring Unit were hospitalised after suffering injuries.
The shocking incident happened at Pretoria CBD on Wednesday, 13 September.
The City of Tshwane's Acting group head of communication, Selby Bokaba, denounced the attacks on employees and the torching of its fleet.
"Tshwane condemns in the strongest possible terms the thuggish and violent character of the unlawful and unprotected strike that has beset the city for more than a month," he said.
Bokaba said the shameful physical assault of employees and the torching of the fleet in Pretoria CBD by striking employees has left the municipality's top management deeply saddened, angered and shocked.
The City's fleet that was set alight involves three trucks and a bakkie.
Bokaba said the first truck, a water tanker belonging to the municipality, was burnt outside the Princess Park Depot.
"The water truck had just drawn water from the depot for delivery at Region 4 informal settlements when it was set alight. The driver was physically assaulted. Fortunately, he managed to escape without sustaining serious injuries," he added.
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He said the bakkie, which was torched along the same precinct as the truck, belonged to the city's Asset Protection Monitoring Unit.
However, two members of the unity were taken to hospital after suffering injuries.
The members are responsible for protecting the city's assets.
They were ambushed while monitoring the depots.
"The other two burnt trucks belong to the Wastewater Collection Section. Drivers were assigned to attend to complaints of sewer blockages around Region 3.
"The visibly shaken drivers are safe and didn't sustain any injuries as they evaded the attempted assault," Bokaba added.
DA Tshwane Caucus spokesman Kwena Moloto said this is not a labour issue anymore but pure criminality.
"We will not be intimidated. We will not allow violence to dictate our stance as a city and party," he said.
He said they need police to get involved.
South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) Tshwane acting regional secretary Precious Theledi said: "Our members are not on strike and can't be blamed for anything that goes wrong in the city."
Tshwane District Police Spokesman Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said a case of malicious property damage was reported.
"It's alleged that a group of people suspected to be Samwu strike set alight two vehicles belonging to Tshwane City Council.
"According to information received, they threw stones at the two vehicles and set the vehicles alight and ran away. The drivers of the two vehicles were not found at the scene."
