Police fire stun grenades at striking Putco workers
Police fired stun grenades to disperse striking Putco bus drivers who burned tyres and used debris to barricade the entrance of the bus company’s New Canada depot in Soweto.
Putco gave workers until 5 pm on Wednesday to explain why they should not be fired for participating in an illegal strike after they downed tools last week, demanding the payment of salary bonuses dating back to 2020.
The striking workers have been preventing buses from leaving the depots in Soweto, Pretoria, and Mpumalanga.
Putco spokesperson Lindokuhle Xulu says the striking workers began barring on-duty staff from entering the depot in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and police were forced to intervene when they tried to stop them from leaving in the afternoon.
“The police managed to gain some free passage for them to leave the depot. It’s something we’ve seen over the last couple of days, but we are encouraged by the fact that police are here to manage the situation.”
The Labour Court granted the company an interim interdict last month, ordering the workers back to their stations. However, they have continued with the unprotected strike.
Xulu has confirmed reports of intimidation against workers who reported to work.
“I must confirm that it’s not business as usual because some of those workers are not willing to come inside [the premises] as they are labeled as rats. It’s a matter that we are hoping to resolve very quickly.”
Xulu says despite the violence, none of their infrastructures has been damaged. However, he admits the interruption to operations has had a negative impact and the more than 150 000 passengers who rely on the service.
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