THE CITY of Johannesburg Multi-Party Government will continue with service delivery programmes as well as maintaining the safety and security of the City, its residents, and visitors during today’s planned “National Shutdown” by non-essential workers.
The MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Leah Knott, has advised that the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) has informed the City that it is “not participating in the planned shutdown of 24 August 2022”; and that the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) has requested that their 74 shop stewards, from across the City’s Departments and Entities, be granted “time off” to attend tomorrow’s march.
Barring SAMWU’s 74 shop stewards, it is expected full staff complement across the City’s seven Regions on Wednesday.
Equally, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) acting chief Thulane Khanyile has assured the Mayor, that they have “not been informed and neither have they received any official information regarding labour related matters that might influence the operations of the JMPD on Wednesday.”
The JMPD, the South African Police Service and other Law Enforcement Agencies have been engaged in joint meetings over the last few days to ensure that the safety and security of the City is not compromised and that the rights of both those participating in the march and those electing not to do so have their rights protected.
Throughout the day, the Mayor’s Office will be in constant communication with the acting City Manager, Byrne Maduka, and acting Chief of JMPD Khanyile throughout the day, and the Multi-Party Government will keep residents informed should any safety and security or service delivery anomalies arise.
The rising cost of living must be remedied through economic policies that, inter alia, recognise societal imbalances and create an enabling environment for business growth and job creation.
Image (Dr Mpho Phalatse, CoJ Mayor says the City will be on high alert during Wednesday’s planned national shutdown).
