ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
29 FEBRUARY 2024

EThekwini Municipality has successfully obtained a court interdict against striking workers, affirming its commitment to the safety and security of law-abiding residents. 
 
The court’s decision comes amidst an unauthorised and unlawful labour unrest that erupted from 27 February and has impacted on some operations of the Municipality and service delivery.
 
The Municipality is extremely concerned about the violence accompanied by intimidation and damage to property caused in the name of striking workers.

The interdict against striking employees as well as those that are members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union, prohibits any unlawful conduct, acts of violence and interference with the City's activities, services, and operations.
 
It further restrains the striking employees from intimidating, harassing, assaulting, threatening or perpetuating acts of violence against employees, service providers or those accessing offices or workstations. 

The order also mandates employees to comply with their contracts of employment and comply with the Act, as committing unlawful conduct constitutes misconduct, and this could result in disciplinary action.
 
Employees are also interdicted from taking part in or instigating and unlawful, disruptive, or riotous behaviour that may result in damage to Municipal property, the infringement of rights of others, damage to any service delivery vehicles or hindering, obstructing or blocking Municipal vehicles.
 
The Municipality emphasises the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of residents and its workforce.
 
To-date no formal memorandum of demands has been submitted to the City by the union but have raised issues around re-categorisation of the Municipality from grade 8 to 10 so that salaries of employees can be on par with those of other metros in the country.

We remain committed to resolving labour disputes through constructive dialogue and within the framework of the law.

The Municipality has urged the police to adopt a no-nonsense approach to those who abuse the right to strike and engage in unlawful behaviour and violate the rights of law-abiding workers.

ENDS
 
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communication Unit.