Police arrested local South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) leader Zola Kolisi this morning Friday 28 February shortly before a three-day strike by municipal workers ended.
Police arrested local South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) leader Zola Kolisi this morning Friday 28 February shortly before a three-day strike by municipal workers ended.
The Makana chairperson of Samwu has been charged with public violence following an altercation with police.
This morning workers marched from the Chan Henry intersection in Fingo Village.
An incident brought the marchers to a halt outside the Kentucky outlet near the Shoprite building, secretary Lindelwa Faltein said.
“He [Kolisi] was trying to protect one of the workers. The worker was throwing rubbish on the street and had an argument about that with one of the policemen.
"The chairperson tried to intervene and then that became an altercation. Rubber bullets were also shot during this argument and the chairperson got arrested.”
The marchers proceeded to the city hall, where they met with a delegation from the office of MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane.
Faltein said the meeting with the delegation went very well and they would return to work on Monday 3 March.
“We will hear from the office of the MEC after seven days," Faltein said. "For now the strike is over."
Grahamstown Police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender confirmed that Kolisi was arrested this morning on several charges including public violence.
She said he would appear in court soon.
Asked if the workers would be present at Kolisi's court appearance, Faltein said only the leadership would.
