Exploring the Scarcity of Municipal Resources as Contributors to Illegal Strikes and Protests in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

Abstract

The shortage of resources at municipalities are a national problem in so many ways. By lacking resources and maintenance municipalities are unable to provide communities with quality service delivery. This article aims to highlight the impact of scarcity of resources in the City of Tshwane (CoT) Metropolitan Municipality which bring about illegal and unprotected strikes by employees, and protests by the local community. When residents or employees are unhappy with poor municipal services, be it no water or electricity for days, poor service delivery, low employee salaries or better working conditions, people tend to take to the streets and show their discontentment with lack of proper services by local government. Strikes and protests arise for a number of reasons, though principally in response to economic conditions. When employees strike for better wages or residence for proper services, both demonstrations have an impact on the economic welfare of any country. The methodological rigor of this paper is ethnographical in nature and data was collected through literature study. Major contributions is to identify advanced methods of policing through intelligence gathering and enforcement when or before illegal strikes and protests take place. This will assist in eliminating fear from the public, tourists, non-striking employees, law enforcement officers and local business operators, etc. The implications should instill the norm of zero tolerance to violence and intimidation, and punishments are inevitable within the prescripts of the law of the Republic of South Africa. Enforcing the law by ensuring that legal mechanisms are reactive and punitive will hinder anyone to partake in illegal strikes or protests.