Samwu members arrested, protesters shot in Ekurhuleni
Three members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) have been arrested during a protest in Germiston, Ekurhuleni.
The arrests were confirmed by Samwu’s regional secretary Mpho Meso on Monday.
Meso also claims that protesters were shot and injured by police.
“Three members of the South African Municipal Workers Union have been arrested. So far it is Mr Chris Mavunda, Papikie Mohale and Rachel Matsepe.
"The employer is very arrogant and has called the SAPS army to shoot at workers. Our members are injured. At the moment the situation is not calm."
Samwu says workers are due to receive a 6.25% wage increase which formed part of a three year wage agreement signed in 2018.
Despite the arrests, Meso says the union will continue with its planned march.
"One thing I want to assure you is that we are not going to return to work and we are going to withdraw our labour until the municipality can hear the frustration of the workers.
“It shows that the employer of the city is arrogant and doesn’t want to enter into bargaining processes with the leadership of organised labour."