Interdicted EPWP workers refuse to return to work

A NUMBER of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers who embarked on strike action in Kimberley last week are refusing to return to work after an interdict was obtained against them.

The workers tore up the urgent interim interdict that was handed to them on October 6, which prevents them from being within 500 metres of Sol Plaatje Municipality’s business sites.

They were aggrieved that stun grenades were fired at them on October 3 during a protest at the municipal yard in Ashburnham, where the entrance was barricaded with burning tyres, bricks, and rubble.

“One worker was injured. This is while the protest action was peaceful,” they said.  

EPWP workers are also upset that they were marked as absent during the strike and stated that no feedback had been received regarding their demand to be permanently employed.

“How can we go back to work when we are not allowed on any municipal sites and are being treated like dogs?” one worker asked.

According to the court application, acting municipal manager Busisiwe Mgaguli indicated that the municipality was unable to fulfil its constitutional obligations while the council yard was barricaded, as service delivery was impeded.

She pointed out that all the contract workers were employed as part of an EPWP initiative to clean the city for a limited period from March 1, 2022, until April 1, 2027.

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said no injuries were reported during the protest.

“The Kimberley Public Order Police are continuing to monitor the ongoing sporadic protest action taking place in Ashburnham, Moghul Park. During the protest, no property was damaged and no arrests were made,” said Shemane.

The spokesperson for the Office of the Mayor, Keobakile Musunse, indicated that, in terms of the court order, workers were prohibited from preventing access to municipal sites or engaging in any unlawful action.

She added that negotiations were ongoing.

“No injuries were reported and no workers have been charged at this stage,” she added, noting that refuse removal services had resumed this week.

Sol Plaatje Municipality apologised to residents for the disruption of services caused by the protest action, during which access to the service delivery fleet was restricted.

“This action has disrupted the municipality’s ability to provide essential services, including refuse removal and the restoration of electricity supply to some affected areas.

“To restore order and normal service delivery to Kimberley’s residents, the municipality obtained a temporary interdict allowing employees to safely resume essential operations promptly.

“We sincerely apologise for the delay in refuse collection. Order has since been restored, allowing normal service delivery operations and schedules to resume. We are also making every effort to clear the backlog as soon as possible.”