Samwu clarifies M1 Freeway blockade was not a strike
The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) has sought to explain the protests that caused the brief closure of the M1 Highway in Johannesburg by saying it had not embarked on a strike but was waiting to be addressed by City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero.
Union members caused major traffic disruptions on the freeway.
Traffic flow resumed as the union members moved to a different location to meet with Morero.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) says it deployed officers to the scene and they dispersed the protesters.
Samwu’s Deputy Regional Secretary Richard Moila says, “We went to one of the municipal buildings, where we were looking for the mayor to address us, but unfortunately the mayor was not there, and also the space was very small, so we went back to the street as Samwu.”
“Even the highway is our working place, according to labour relations. So we were there, having the meeting in a bigger space. When the workers say, ‘Let’s go and wait for the mayor on the highway’, that is what happens.”
He adds: “The mayor was supposed to come and address the meeting, so we’re on the highway, waiting for the mayor to address us. So, we did not embark on any strike; we went there to be addressed by the mayor.”