Employees of Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) downed their tools on Monday August 6 expressing their dissatisfaction over the municipal manager’s decisions.

The GTM employees who are members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) say they want Thapelo Matlala, GTM Municipal Manager out. “Since Matlala’s appointment he has been making changes that workers don’t agree with.

Read: GTM security on strike

“He wants to stop the car and cellphone allowance and also stop the encashment of leave days,” explained Patrick Maake, SAMWU local secretary.

The crowd were chanting statements such as, “Down with Mr three million”, “We are saying no to paying for jobs” and “We don’t want Matlala”.

On Tuesday morning they were still picketing outside demanding to meet with Matlala and the GTM political management team which consists of Mayor Maripe Mangena, Dikeledi Mmetle and the ANC Chief Whip in the municipality, Cromwell Nhemo.

Union leaders were locked in the meeting with the Mayor Maripe Mangena in a bid to reach an amicable solution.