gavel thumb100 Sowetan reports that the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane on Tuesday interdicted illegal strikers in Giyani from polluting and closing water pumps.  

Judge Ephraim Makgoba restrained the strikers from closing water reticulation sources to Giyani communities and also ordered the police to patrol the Giyani area to protect the assets of the local municipality.  This was after angry community members from Khakhala, Gawula, Mahlathi and Hlomela villages blockaded roads with sand and disrupted services in Giyani over the past three weeks.  They were demanding roads and water services.  In his affidavit, municipal manager Maxwell Chauke said:  “The water services have been disrupted by the strikers in circumstances we cannot explain.  It is likely that the water pumps in the reticulation facility have been blocked and the water is now not fit for human consumption.”  He also indicated that there had been reported incidents of intimidation of staff.  Chauke went on to state:  “I was also informed the strikers went to the Giyani CBD and their demonstration culminated in vandalism.  On June 25 I was informed that the strikers attempted to enter the municipal offices by force, and blocked the public and municipal staff from gaining access.”


Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page