Cape Town granted interdict against SAMWU

The City of Cape Town has been granted an interdict preventing striking municipal workers from intimidating non-striking employees and for employees in essential services to return to work, it said on Thursday.

Mayoral committee member for corporate services Demetri Qually said the order was granted by the Labour Court on Wednesday morning on three issues.

"The first issue was to instruct Samwu members not to engage in intimidation or violence," he said.

"The second was for people in the essential services to return to their posts and the third was for Samwu workers to adhere to the rules of picketing and strike action."

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

The strike for an 18% increase started on Monday. The SA Local Government Association is offering 6%.