Despite warnings from City Power Johannesburg that a deliberate power blackout caused by a municipal strike could result in prosecution, the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) insists its planned action is legal.
While the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has yet to issue a certificate allowing the planned strike, Samwu has officially informed the power utility that it will go on a full-blown strike on Monday October 19, resulting in “a total blackout of Johannesburg and all its suburbs”.
Samwu has accused City Power of failing to address issues of corruption.
A statement issued by City Power pointed out that a total blackout, as a result of strike action, would “constitute an act of sabotage against the City of Johannesburg and its residents”.
A City Power spokesperson added that the provision of electricity supply services was also classified as an essential service and that the disruption of the electricity supply by a strike would be unlawful at the outset.
He assured Johannesburg residents that City Power had contingency plans in place to ensure that the city's power supply was not disrupted.
