Protesting municipal workers emptied refuse bins onto streets in central Pretoria on Monday.

There were returning from the office of the municipality when they came across refuse bins in Schubart Street. They dragged and emptied them onto the streets, causing police to spray them with a water cannon.

They were currently waiting at the corner of Proes and Schubart streets for their leaders to speak to them.

While on their way to the municipal office earlier they attempted to steal from hawkers in Church Square. Several of them tried to grab their fruit and vegetables but were stopped by union officials.

Waving sticks and placards and bringing traffic to a halt, they slowly marched down Vermeulen Street to the Tshwane mayor's office to present a memorandum.

Members of the SA Municipal Workers' Union embarked on a strike after wage negotiations with the SA Local Government Association deadlocked.

The union wanted an increase of 15 percent or R2500, whichever was higher, and a minimum wage of R5000 per month.

The employer was offering 11.5 percent.

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