KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr. Willies Mchunu, has called on the striking workers building the uMngeni interchange over the N2 near Springfield Park, to conduct their strike within the law without disruption, blockading and obstruction of the road.
MEC Mchunu’s call comes amid reports that this week workers, demanding a R12 000 project bonus, blockaded the road leading to the Springfield Park with burning tyres and rubble, thereby disturbing the morning rush hour traffic.
Security guards posted to safeguard the property of the construction company were allegedly assaulted by the angry workers, resulting to 20 of the striking workers being arrested by police yesterday.
Yesterday MEC Mchunu was yesterday briefed by the management of the South African National Road Agency (Sanral) and the management of the construction company engaged to construct the bridge about this on-going labour dispute involving members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
Moves are already underway to bring all stakeholders together for a dialogue to find a solution to this problem.
In the meantime, MEC Mchunu has made a call that the strike should be conducted within the rule of law.
“There should be no illegalities and no obstruction of road. We urged the striking workers to conduct the strike within the law and they should be no closure of roads,” said Mchunu.
Media contact:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462 / 079 699 5755
Sipho Khumalo
Cell: 082 682 6437
