Four former licensing department employees who refused a provincial transfer following the takeover of services in Middelburg will be absorbed into alternative municipal roles.

According to a report before council on Tuesday, all employees working at the municipal licensing and registration services were transferred to the Department of Safety, Security and Liaison in July 2024.

Four employees, however, declined the transfer.

The municipality likened the transfer to that of municipal clinics to the Department of Health in 2007 and 2008, saying both transfer processes were well supported and implemented smoothly.

Unlike the licensing staff, all clinic staff responded positively to the takeover.

A deputy director, secretary, senior licensing officer and senior clerk declined the transfer.

None of the four accepted proposed job offers, and all refused to resign.

Labour Court sides with employees

The matter was taken to the Labour Court in February, when the court sided with the employees.

The employees were furnished with an internal municipal vacancy list to choose from.

Municipality reassigns staff to new roles

The deputy director will remain a deputy director.

The secretary can be placed within the law enforcement administration, while the senior licensing officer will be absorbed in the local economic development unit of the municipality, after having dealt with business permitting.

The senior clerk will be accommodated in the finance department at the revenue section.

The province did not oppose the Labour Court application in February.

The court ordered the municipality to pay outstanding salaries between July and December 2024.

Council approved the recommendations.