Corruption, hey. It will be the death of us, if anything.

The latest corruption-related saga will send Jozi into a total blackout for an unknown period of time. The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) issued City Power with a warning that its members would be going on a full-blown strike and might impact the City of Johannesburg’s power supply.

The union has accused City Power of failing to address issues relating to corruption levelled against MD Sicelo Xulu. However, no explanation of what the actual corruptions entails have been released. City Power is obviously very unimpressed.

This constitutes a threat of sabotage against the company and the residents of Johannesburg. Any individual threatening to switch off the network illegally will be liable for prosecution. The rendering of electricity supply services by City Power is also classified as an essential service and the disruption of the electricity supply by a strike action is unlawful.

City Power perceives the threat by the trade union as criminal and not in the interest of the entire union membership as well as the people of Johannesburg. In light of previous sabotage on the network, City Power has taken steps to protect the network and will pursue criminal action where necessary.

As talks continue, residents don’t panic yet. The strike is only planned for Monday 19 October so hopefully by then things will have sorted themselves out.

[source: iol]