KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has condemned the ongoing strike my eThekwini Municipality workers.
Dube-Ncube says the strike which is backed by the South African Municipal Workers Union(Samwu), is illegal and unprotected.
The premier was addressing the media at the Durban ICC over the week long protest bringing the city to a standstill.
PREMIER’S FURY OVER PROTESTERS CONDUCT
Demands of the disgruntled municipal workers is equal wages to their counterparts in Ekurhuleni and Tshwane.
However, Dube-Ncube says while workers have a right to protest, it shouldn’t be at the expense of others.
“It doesn’t give a right to infringe on the rights of other citizens nor the right to destruction of infrastructure and property just because one is exercising their other right.”
The widespread protest has resulted in vandalism to pipelines with reports of intimidation of other workers.
“From now henceforth government will no longer tolerate the atmosphere of fear, trespassing on premises and forceful removal of staff from their work posts, denial of patients their rights to gain access into healthcare facilities, including vandalism of critical infrastructure such as water and electricity.”
Meanwhile, Metro Police and private security will escort staff to service delivery points including electricity faults, burst pipes and refuse removal.
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