DA Welcomes JMPD Deployment To Protect Refuse Collectors

Pikitup – Striking Workers

The DA welcomes the City of Johannesburg’s decision to heed the DA call made last week, to have Metro Police officers protect auxiliary refuse collectors while the protracted Pikitup strike drags on.

This is a vindication of the DA’s assertion that the City of Joburg was not doing enough to work around the Pikitup strike, or to protect private refuse collectors.

The city’s response to the Pikitup strike has been woefully inadequate. Striking workers have been left to rampage unchecked while Mayor Parks Tau has been torn between his allegiances to the City, the Pikitup entity and the unions on strike.

In alliance with COSATU unions, the ANC is weak and ineffectual at solving strike action.

Where DA Governs

Recognising rubbish collection as an essential service, a DA-led city government would not allow strike action to affect residents for this ridiculously protracted time.

Enormous amounts of rotten rubbish strewn in our communities are leaving all people unsafe and in unhealthy environments.

Our poorest communities are especially at risk, as rubbish now lies where children play, where old people walk and live and is piling up at the front doors of homes.

In contrast, in the City of Cape Town where the DA governs, a large part of rubbish collection is managed by the City under its direct control, along with a number of private contractors, under close supervision of the city.

This creates an environment of competitive pricing and service delivery, as well as effective contingency planning in the event of industrial action.

It is this form of administration Johannesburg’s people can look forward to when they vote for change in the coming local government elections, and vote the DA into government.

The DA will bring change to Johannesburg, change that brings effective and quality service delivery to all.

 

Media enquiries:

Willie Venter

Director: Communications and research

060 963 8260

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Pikitup Strike Shows Up Parks Tau’s Aloof Leadership

Illegal Pikitup Strike

The DA notes the end to the illegal strike by Pikitup employees, and that it’s not thanks to the efforts of Joburg Mayor Parks Tau, but Cooperative Governance MEC Jacob Mamabolo and his team.

According to media reports MEC Mamabolo has been locked in talks with SAMWU since Monday, while Mayor Tau made absolutely no effort to do so himself.

Tau remains aloof and inaccessible, uncommitted to the hard work needed to solve crises in the City.

Clearly Mayor Tau is nothing but a lame duck Mayor if an MEC needs to clean up the mess in Johannesburg.

Johannesburg Residents Rallying Behind DA

While the DA appreciates workers’ concerns and MEC Mamabolo’s willingness to address them, we remain concerned that no action will be taken against Pikitup MD, Amanda Nair, despite being faced with numerous allegations of poor management, maladministration, nepotism and misconduct.

Why does Parks Tau keep Nair so protected when Pikitup is in disarray and facing major allegations?

What Johannesburg residents have learnt from this experience is that Parks Tau’s only function is publicity while the provincial ANC and their union allies pull the strings.

The DA has been steadfast in our convictions that mayors and their executives should be accountable to the people who voted for them, should directly engage issues, and should be accessible to the public.

Local Government Elections 2016

The people of Johannesburg are increasingly rallying behind the DA, because they know, where the DA governs, life is indeed better.

Momentum is building behind the DA toward Election 2016, where we are set on winning the City of Johannesburg.

 

Media enquiries:

Cllr Vasco da Gama

DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader

082 957 8581

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