The Pikitup strike continues on Monday, 20 May 2024, causing significant disruptions and uncollected waste in various parts of Johannesburg.
Pikitup strike continues on Monday, 20 May 2024
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The ongoing Pikitup strike has led to mounting piles of rubbish across Johannesburg as employees of the waste management utility persist in their protest.
The workers are demanding permanent contracts, citing long-standing issues of corruption and unfair hiring practices within the company.
As a result of the protest, there are significant backlogs of waste collection in several areas, leaving residents to grapple with the consequences of uncollected refuse.
Why are Pikitup workers protesting?
The strike erupted following allegations of corruption and unfair hiring practices against Pikitup. Protesters have blocked entrances to depots, preventing employees from performing their duties, and in some instances, resorted to burning tyres to voice their demands.
The workers are particularly aggrieved by what they describe as years of broken promises regarding job placements.
Makhosi Kunene, one of the protesting workers, claimed that since 2018, they had been promised permanent jobs, but instead, the company hired outsiders.
“We want our jobs. Since 2018, they’ve promised us jobs and we’ve been waiting. But now they’ve hired other people,” Kunene stated.
The workers accuse Pikitup of bribery and corruption, asserting that the company has bypassed them for permanent positions in favour of individuals from outside the province.
Ward 73 Councillor Eleanor Hugget highlighted the allegations, stating:
“It’s alleged that out of 40 positions, not one was given to a resident of Ward 73, and most if not all, positions were given to people from outside the province.”
Pikitup spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi acknowledged the disruptions and outlined the steps being taken to address the issue.
He mentioned that the company was considering various options to restore normal service delivery in the affected depot areas.
These options included initiating discussions with the protesting workers to find mutually acceptable solutions and implementing security measures to enable employees to continue serving the community.
Mkhwanazi admitted the difficulty in predicting the duration of the disruptions but reassured residents that a recovery plan was being devised to address the backlog swiftly.
Local ward councillors and community leaders have expressed strong concerns over the allegations and the impact on service delivery. Ward 74 Councillor Belinda Echeozonjoku emphasized the need for transparency.
“We have a right to know how many community members have been permanently employed, as we are accountable to the residents.”
Routes likely to be impacted by the strike
The unrest has severely impacted several areas in Johannesburg, with depots being blocked and operations halted.
Residents and commuters are advised to avoid the following routes and areas due to the ongoing strike:
- Norwood
- Marlboro
- Waterval
- Selby
- Randburg
- Midrand
- Diepsloot
The entrances to these depots have been blocked by protesters, causing significant disruptions in waste collection services.
The ongoing protest activities and potential for violence pose a risk to those travelling through these areas.
