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The DA Tshwane Caucus acknowledges SAMWU’s recent decision to distance itself from the ongoing unlawful strike action in Tshwane. We perceive this as a positive step in the direction of restoring service delivery and lawfulness to our city, but this is by far not the final solution.

In the past five weeks, SAMWU members have participated in sabotage, destruction of municipal infrastructure, intimidation of municipal staff, leading to the shooting and near-fatal injury of one worker, and the collapse of service delivery. Having allowed these actions, mere distancing falls short of what is required. It is imperative that SAMWU takes proactive measures to gain control of their members.

On August 23rd, the City of Tshwane is scheduled to engage with the Local Government Collective Bargaining Council to seek an exemption for proposed pay increases. The DA earnestly implores SAMWU to display responsible leadership by presenting its members' concerns at the negotiation table and insisting on the end of the wave of sabotage, disruption, and illegality.

Further to this, the DA fully supports the principled stance taken by the City Manager to implement a "no work, no pay" policy. As a result, wages will be proportionately reduced for municipal employees who have chosen to participate in this illegal strike.

The DA puts this loss of income of SAMWU members solely at the feet of SAMWU leadership and demand them to take responsibility for the effect of their actions on members.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to the betterment of Tshwane and its residents. We stand by Executive Mayor Cilliers Brink and his team in their efforts to ensure exactly that.

Issued by Cllr Kwena Moloto - DA Tshwane Caucus Spokesperson