City of Joburg SAMWU members released on warning

Sixteen City of Johannesburg workers from the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) were released on warning following their arrest during a protest on Monday. They were not required to pay bail and made a brief appearance at Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court, facing charges of public violence and contravening the National Road Traffic Act.

The workers protested against the municipality allegedly failing to honor a wage agreement worth R5.2 billion, part of a larger agreement valued at over R10.3 billion, which was to be paid in installments but faced affordability concerns from National Treasury. Members of SAMWU supported the arrested workers, chanting songs and burning incense in solidarity.

The matter will be revisited on December 3rd for further investigation. Meanwhile, wage negotiations between SAMWU and the City of Johannesburg remain ongoing, with the workers rejecting the proposed wage agreement as an insult.