The decision was reached yesterday during a meeting with national and provincial authorities, who intervened in the ongoing labour dispute after last Wednesday’s fatal shooting at the civic centre.

Employee representative Mr Kgosi Makwati says despite the Level 5 agreement, the suspension and disciplinary proceedings against 16 municipal employees, including himself, have not been withdrawn.

Mr Makwati says a meeting will be held this morning for employees to decide a way forward.

“It’s clear that they want to get rid of the leaders,” Mr Makwati told www.mobserver.co.za.

Meanwhile, the town’s future is in the balance, with workers also demanding the immediate removal of Acting Municipal Manager Ms Thokozile Zulu and Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela, a move the ANC is seriously considering.

The 1 500 strong workforce has lost all trust in Ms Zulu and Mayor Masilela, whom they say “should never have been appointed and elected in the first place”.

Interviews for the appointment of a permanent Municipal Manager were held in July already, but the council seems at loggerheads over a preferred candidate.
Eight candidates were shortlisted for interviews.

A strong faction among employees would like to have former acting head Mandla Mnguni appointed.

“He’s learnt from the best, namely former Municipal Manager Mr Willie Fouche, who never abandoned municipal employees in the face of danger,” an employee in municipal management told www.mobserver.co.za.

“Thokozile Zulu must go, there’s no Band-Aid she can put on the wounds inflicted,” the source said.

Municipal employees now have a choice, abandon their leaders and return to work, or side with them and gamble with their gains.

Meanwhile, Mr Makwati says there’s also no consensus whether employees would receive their salaries for the duration of the strike, having entered its fourth week yesterday.

“This is another major issue for workers to consider before returning to work, once we’ve received a mandate on the way forward, we will inform the community,” he said.