The city of Tshwane is defending its decision to pay striking municipal workers. Mayor Stevens Mokgalapa says the situation could’ve been worse, if a deal wasn’t reached. Unions scored payouts estimated at over R300-million. The city says losses incurred during the protests ran into millions.
“I took the decision of restoring law and order if you see on the media reporting. City being trashed, people not being able to go to work, robots not working while you don’t have metro police who can restore order, you see a city in chaos and I couldn’t allow that hence you have to negotiate,” said Stevens Mokgalapa, Tshwane Mayor.
As mop-up operations continue the mayor is shrugging off criticism, even from his own party the DA, more specifically the party’s federal Chairperson, James Selfe.
“There’s no perfect agreement it’s always a compromise but if it brings sanity and restoration if all and order it’s something to consider,” Mokgalapa said.
The strike was a nightmare for business and offices located in Tshwane’s CBD. Commuters were left stranded as the city’s bus service was halted. The mayor says the city was taking a financial knock.
The settlement agreement with unions to end the strike cost the city R380-million. Unions say the payment is an apology from the city for messing up.
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Source: eNCA