Union rep refutes suspension
When an AbaQulusi union rep arrived at his offices for work recently, he was somewhat shocked to discover that the locks had been changed.
MUNICIPAL workers and union representatives, Mr Sifiso Mkhwanazi and Mrs TJ Mchunu have been suspended by Acting Municipal Manager, AB Mnikathi. Or have they…?
According to Mr Mkhwanazi, who is a representative of IMATU and has been at the forefront of voicing the concerns of the ‘striking’ municipal workers over the past few months, he received an email on the morning of May 31 with a letter attached, informing him of Mnikathi’s intention to suspend him, but has never been issued with an actual letter of suspension.
He further stated that, when he and Mchunu arrived at their offices for work recently, they were somewhat shocked to discover that the locks had been changed.
They requested a meeting with Mnikathi to enquire about the rumours of their suspension, as they had not received an official suspension letter and were informed that the letters had been sent to their homes. Mkhwanazi maintains he has not received any official documentation.
The alleged grounds for suspension appears to have been that Mkhwanazi and Mchunu were believed to have incited employees to take part in the march which took place on May 27, despite the fact that the march was a peaceful and legal protest.
In taking a stand against the apparent disregard for correct procedures when suspending employees, both Mkhwanazi and Mchunu have pitched up for work as normal, pending official documentation suspending them from doing so.
We questioned AbaQulusi Municipality regarding the alleged suspension of the two employees and received the following response from the Media Liaison Officer, Arnold Ramodibe, ” In relation to the above matter, please be advised that this matter is in the hands of Legal Representatives, we have no further comment at this stage, we would prefer if you can allow the legal process to run its course.”
