Tshwane suspends bus service

Pretoria - The City of Tshwane suspended bus services on Wednesday afternoon after some of its vehicles were stoned, allegedly by striking municipal workers.

"The city has taken a decision to withdraw its bus services until further notice. This is necessary to protect our bus drivers and commuters," city spokesperson Pieter de Necker said.

The city said on Tuesday that the nationwide strike by SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) members had not affected its ability to render services.

De Necker said residents should make arrangements for alternative transport, and apologised for the inconvenience caused.

Several Samwu members embarked on an illegal march and scattered rubbish in Pretoria's inner city on Tuesday. There were reports of littering in Centurion when the strike began on Monday.

CCTV footage would be used as evidence to discipline employees for littering and public disturbance, the city said.

Workers were protesting for an 18% wage increase. Their employer, the SA Local Government Association (Salga), was offering 6%.


Frustrated

There is no justification for violence and trashing the streets during protests but it showed the frustration municipal workers were enduring, the Samwu said.

"(Workers) are completely frustrated at this moment in time," said spokesperson Tahir Sema.

"Workers are losing money by the day. This is why they are resorting to trashing of the streets. It's no justification, but we do understand."

Workers went on the rampage in Cape Town on Tuesday, looting and trashing the streets. Workers in Tshwane and Pietermaritzburg also left the streets strewn with rubbish after protest marches.

"The workers know when they start trashing the streets, they turn up the pressure. We don't condone it but we understand," Sema said.

"When a street sweeper does speak out, no one listens. But when a street sweeper messes his workplace, the employer listens."

Sema said there was no indication of further talks between Samwu and Salga and he accused the employers of "dragging their feet".

Salga spokesperson Milisa Kentane could not immediately be reached for comment.