The violence erupted after a crisis meeting yesterday, which failed to find a solution to the ongoing labour unrest. Employees were of the view that a settlement would be reached on their demand of a Level 5 municipal upgrade.

After the meeting, vehicles of representatives who attended the meeting were stoned. Charges of malicious damage to property were reported at the police station. One vehicle, belonging to a councillor, had been damaged to the tune of R13 000.

During the day rubbish was dumped in Walter Sisulu Street, with damage to private vehicles having been reported.

According to employee representative, Kgosi Makwati, the strike that has entered its third week will continue until demands are met.
Mr Makwati is one of a number of suspended employees who have been blacklisted from entering municipal properties.

In a statement following the bloodbath at the gates of the civic centre, he says once a Level 5 upgrade for municipal employees is granted, workers will return to their posts.

He says, up to now, the administration has refused to meet with employee representatives, most of whom are on the suspension list.
Mr Makwati denies that workers posed any threat to security guards.

Also read: Two employees killed in municipal bloodbath identified

Www.mobserver.co.za is, however, aware that vehicles of delegates attending the meeting that preceded the shootings were badly damaged by gathered employees.

Mr Makwati says some of the victims sustained more than one gunshot wound.

The shooters, according to Mr Makwati, immediately left the scene in a minibus.
Workers suspect that the guards have fled town entirely.

A number of spent cartridges were found on the scene by police investigators following the shooting.
Both deceased passed away at hospital.

Municipal employees held a vigil at the scene of the shooting last night.
They will be meeting again today to discuss their strategy going forward.

Workers say their colleagues have not died in vain, “No work until our demands are met,” he made it clear.

Workers are calling for both Acting Municipal Manager Ms Thokozile Zulu, and Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela to step down immediately.

The late worker have been identified as Tshepo Maseko of the municipality’s electrical department.

Earlier reports that Mr Harris Sithole of the solid waste department, had also passed away, is untrue.

Mr Makwati, who confirmed Mr Sithole’s passing to www.mobserver.co.za, says the information he received was incorrect.

Mr Sithole, who was critically wounded, was merely transported to eMalahleni for treatment during the night.

“We can now confirm that only one employee has been killed,” Mr Makwati corrected.