THE City of Cape Town has warned striking municipal workers that it will take "whatever action is necessary" to protect its property after a protest for higher wages yesterday turned violent in the city centre
"Should Samwu (the South African Municipal Workers Union) and its members continue to behave in the manner displayed so far, the city will have no option but to take whatever action is lawfully necessary to ensure the safety of its employees, the community and public property," Demetri Qually, mayoral committee member for Corporate Services, said.
As a result of the violence the city said it would seek an interdict against the continuation of the strike.
Earlier yesterday municipal workers looted vendors' stalls, set plastic bins on fire and smashed the windows of vehicles as they protested in the city centre.
The city's main shopping avenue, Adderley Street, was left covered with litter and burnt-out bins.
A number of vendors, who sell goods such as cosmetics, coffee, wallets and belts on the pavements of the street, were unpacking goods they had tried to hide as the workers approached.
Shops on the street locked their doors as the workers, who were seen smashing the windows of vehicles, approached.
Parliament, near the top end of Adderley Street, was also cordoned off by the police. Thirteen protesters were arrested and would be charged with public violence, police said.
Samwu is demanding an 18percent pay increase. The SA Local Government Association is offering 6percent. The countrywide strike began on Monday.
The City of Cape Town said 5,170 staff or 21 percent of the its workforce was absent from work without authorisation yesterday.
Striking council workers warned
THE City of Cape Town has warned striking municipal workers that it will take "whatever action is necessary" to protect its property after a protest for higher wages yesterday turned violent in the city centre
"Should Samwu (the South African Municipal Workers Union) and its members continue to behave in the manner displayed so far, the city will have no option but to take whatever action is lawfully necessary to ensure the safety of its employees, the community and public property," Demetri Qually, mayoral committee member for Corporate Services, said.
As a result of the violence the city said it would seek an interdict against the continuation of the strike.
Earlier yesterday municipal workers looted vendors' stalls, set plastic bins on fire and smashed the windows of vehicles as they protested in the city centre.
The city's main shopping avenue, Adderley Street, was left covered with litter and burnt-out bins.
A number of vendors, who sell goods such as cosmetics, coffee, wallets and belts on the pavements of the street, were unpacking goods they had tried to hide as the workers approached.
Shops on the street locked their doors as the workers, who were seen smashing the windows of vehicles, approached.
Parliament, near the top end of Adderley Street, was also cordoned off by the police. Thirteen protesters were arrested and would be charged with public violence, police said.
Samwu is demanding an 18percent pay increase. The SA Local Government Association is offering 6percent. The countrywide strike began on Monday.
The City of Cape Town said 5,170 staff or 21 percent of the its workforce was absent from work without authorisation yesterday.
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