LISTEN: Pikitup services resume amid police escorts
Pikitup says it has resumed services in several areas in Johannesburg after refuse collection was interrupted by protesting former Jozi@Work employees.
The company’s employees will be escorted by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers to ensure their safety after incidents of intimidation and violence over the past few weeks.
Last week five people were arrested for attempted murder for allegedly assaulting a general manager at Pikitup, dousing him with petrol and threatening to set him alight.
The five are believed to be part of a group which has been picketing at different depots demanding to be employed by the company.
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“Since last Friday, we were able to service all the areas under our control. The services were extended to Saturday and Sunday,” says Pikitup spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi
He says metro police officers will continue escorting workers until calm is restored.
“Our employees and assets will be escorted until such a time that calm is restored or when the authorities indicate to us that it is safe to do so,” says Mkhwanazi.
The five suspects were denied bail on Friday.