By: ANG Reporter
City of Johannesburgmember of mayoral committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport Councillor Kenny Kunene has condemned what an illegal strike by Metrobus employees on Wednesday, 31 January which severely disrupted services.
Kunene was in council when he was informed of the strike taking place at Metrobus. Kunene said he viewed the action by Metrobus employees as “a clear indication of their disrespect towards the citizens of the City”.
“The drivers are fully aware that their commuters include school children and workers who depend on them for daily transport. Their disregard resulted in school children being left desperate and this in an era of rampant human trafficking and parents struggling to make alternative arrangements for their children.”
Kunene said: “One of the unreasonable demands made by these striking employees was for Metrobus to reinstate some of the former employees who were dismissed after being accused of stealing from the entity, and this without a labour court or bargaining council ruling.”
“The mandate that I have been given by the residents of Soweto, Eldorado Park, Ennerdale, Finetown and other areas around the City through their votes, is to perform and implement service delivery and to do oversight on the officials who are responsible to execute this; should these officials fail, I am obligated to act and will do so without fear or favour.”
kunene said he was of the view that when workers disregard the people who pay their salaries, “in this case, commuters and the residents of the City of Johannesburg, decisive action must be taken”.
“The residents of the City cannot be held at ransom. When I became the MMC for Transport, many people spoke to me about shutting down Metrobus, but I expressed my commitment to assisting Metrobus to thrive, as this would have resulted in many job losses. In addition, Metrobus plays such a critical role in ensuring all commuters including school children arrive at their destinations safely and on time.”
Kunene said he was “disappointed, frustrated and angry at what has been done to the citizens of the City especially school children”. He added that the labour process should take its course.
“One would assume that these drivers have children and would understand the frustration of a stranded child and that of the parents who don’t know of their children’s whereabouts. We are in the business of service delivery and if drivers cannot assist the City to achieve that mandate, then they have no reason to be part of this organisation.”
Kunene said he would be engaging the Executive Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda and City Manager Floyd Brink on the matter.
