Samwu declined application to march in Cape Town

The City of Cape Town and the police have declined an application by the SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) to march in city on Monday.

"At a meeting this morning [Friday] with representatives of Samwu, the City of Cape Town and the SA Police Service [SAPS] refused the march application because it was deemed a definite threat to safety and security in terms of the Gatherings Act," the city said in a statement.

"This decision is based on Samwu's members' behaviour during their march on Tuesday 16 August 2011 as well as their multiple acts of violence and intimidation this week."

Samwu could not be reached for comment.

Earlier this week, hundreds of Samwu protesters looted from hawkers, set fire to plastic bins and smashed car windows in the city centre.

The strike for an 18 percent increase started on Monday. The SA Local Government Association has offered six percent.

On Thursday, the Labour Court granted the city an interim interdict preventing Samwu members from assaulting and intimidating city employees, contractors, suppliers and members of the public, and from carrying weapons.

A Samwu march would be illegal under the Gatherings Act and would infringe the interdict, it said.

The city said it was forced to close the Khayelitsha Fire Station on Thursday, claiming that Samwu members had intimidated non-striking workers into participating in the strike.

"The interim interdict reiterates the rule that, as an essential service, fire and rescue staff are not allowed to participate in strike action."

It said staff at the Town Two Clinic had to be relocated, also after alleged intimidation by Samwu members, who it claimed had overturned and emptied the clinic’s portable chemical toilets.

The city accused protesters of stoning the front window of the Strand Fire Station, later stoning council vehicles in the area, and of burning tyres at the Nyanga Municipal Yard.

They also forced their way inside the Fish Hoek Caravan Park, where they tried to hurt staff and intimidate residents, the city alleged.

"The city will continue to collect data about the damages caused by striking Samwu members and the related costs.

"This information will be used for cases of disciplinary action as well as the recovery of costs from Samwu where evidence can be provided showing their involvement," it said.

On Friday 3655 staff or 14,49 percent of the city’s workforce was absent from work without authorisation.