A union\u2019s threat of causing a \u201ctotal blackout\u201d in the greater Johannesburg area this month would be an act of sabotage, City Power said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The South African Municipal Workers\u2019 Union (Samwu) told the City of Johannesburg\u2019s power utility that it would go on a full-blown strike on Monday October 19, resulting in \u201ca total blackout of Johannesburg and all its suburbs\u201d.<\/p>\n
The union said City Power has failed to address issues relating to corruption levelled against its managing director, Sicelo Xulu.<\/p>\n
It added that board chairperson Frank Chikane had \u201cfailed to act on corruption allegations, which are happening under his watch\u201d.<\/p>\n
Chikane in turn asked Samwu to provide concrete evidence to support its allegation.<\/p>\n
City Power said in a statement that Samwu\u2019s threats of a total blackout \u201cconstitute an act of sabotage against the City of Johannesburg and its residents\u201d.<\/p>\n
It wouldn\u2019t be the first time employees have brought darkness to the economic hub of South Africa.<\/p>\n
Two years ago, City Power employees embarked on an illegal strike in which they disconnected electricity supply, resulting in some parts of Johannesburg being plunged into darkness.<\/p>\n
The electricity infrastructure is a National Key Point installation and threats against its network, or deliberate and illegal tampering with its property, constitute an act that will be subject to criminal prosecution, City Power explained.<\/p>\n
However, Samwu tweeted on Friday that City Power had misunderstood what it meant by “blackout”.<\/p>\n
“Maybe we should explain to … Chikane what we mean,” Samwu tweeted. “We will not be at work and as such blackout, how is that sabotage?”<\/p>\n
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