Workers at the licensing department at the Steve Tshwete Civic Centre have once again downed tools.

The Middelburg Observer spoke to a frustrated resident who was turned away from the licensing department for the sixth time earlier today (Monday).

The man said that his wife must drive to Pretoria today because their child must undergo an emergency operation, “I have to stay home with our other child who has to go to school, so I can not take her!”

The resident said they went to the department last week to collect his wife’s licence (the old one expired last week) but couldn’t receive it due to a protest by National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) members.

Nehawu Nkangala is reportedly protesting against the provincial government for several issues, including child safety and deployment.

The union members want to hand over a memorandum to newly appointed Director General Maggie Skhosana.

They have been disrupting services at various departments within the district, such as the Department of Public Works, the Department of Culture, and the Licensing Department.

Earlier today, they staged a picket outside the Department of Public Works on Lilian Ngoyi Street near the fire department.

The spokesperson of the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety and Security Liaison, Moeti Mmusi, said the provincial government does not condoned the actions of the union members and has urged them not to disrupt essential services.

He added that the provincial government is aware of the matter and is in talks with the union.