Buzwa’s fight for former council workers pays off
Asked about what he once claimed were attempts to scare him off the probe by 'face less' people, Buzwa said the matter was still under investigation by the Katlehong North SAPS.
Top Kathorus Private Investigator (PI) and independent labour representative, Tabo Buzwa, has confidently told Kathorus MAIL that his almost year-long battle with the Ekurhuleni Metro’s Human Resources (HR) department could soon be resolved amicably.
Buzwa, of Buzwa Consulting and Private Investigations, represents 155 of the 350 municipal workers who were retrenched by the old Germiston City Council in 1993. The retrenchment of several hundred low-graded employees, many of whom had worked for the apartheid municipality for decades took place among a number of local municipalities, leaving thousands of black municipal workers unemployed, just a few months before the country’s first democratic election in April 1994.
The popular ‘Lokshin’ PI described the huge job losses as a result of continued anti-government protests which left many local municipalities bankrupt and dysfunctional. According to Buzwa, this led to the beleaguered apartheid township municipalities of Katlehong, Vosloorus and Thokoza being unable to function effectively. This also left the adjacent towns under which these townships fell, such as Alberton, Boksburg and Germiston, opting for mass retrenchments of their black employees in these municipal townships.
“That is why we’ve been engaging with senior officials in the Ekurhuleni Metro’s HR department with the hope of negotiating and reaching an amicable agreement between the parties involved to resolve the outstanding pay-outs for these former employees,” explained Buzwa.
Although Buzwa was reluctant to name any of the officials he has been engaged with in these discussions, he firmly assured Kathorus MAIL that he is “highly optimistic of the outcome”.
He added, however, that he was saddened that the outcome, which will result in all 155 former municipal employees finally being paid out, will not happen immediately.
“It would have been nice to see every one of the employees receive their money just before Christmas. I hope it will be settled sooner rather than later.”
Asked about what he once claimed were attempts to scare him off the probe by ‘face less’ people, Buzwa said the matter was still under investigation by the Katlehong North SAPS.
“But, sadly, I have not heard a single word from the investigating officer who promised me speedy results when he was assigned to the case more than six months ago.”
Attempts by Kathorus MAIL to contact Koos Molebela, a forensic representative and coordinator in the Metro’s HR department who was initially involved with the group, were futile.
Katlehong SAPS media spokesperson, Capt Mega Ndobe, urged Buzwa to follow the investigations matter up with the Station Commander at the Katlehong North SAPS.
“If Mr Buzwa is not satisfied with the way his case is being investigated, he has the right to take the matter up with the station commander or head of the detectives.”
