Some employees of the Lekwa Municipality who went on strike during the lockdown, were formally dismissed on Wednesday, 21 October.
A copy of the letter from the municipal manager, Ms Gugulethu Mhlongo-Ntshangase, which circulated on social media, informed them of the outcome of the disciplinary hearing. Section 18 of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council Collective Agreement Disciplinary Procedure was cited.
According to the document, they are dismissed with immediate effect.
In another document sent to the Standerton Advertiser, it was said that the actions of the striking employees made it clear that they had all intention of making Lekwa Municipality completely ungovernable.
Altogether five employees were sanctioned with a caution to never participate in any illegal strike, four sanctioned with a verbal warning on how to report during a strike action, 22 sanctioned with a first written warning, 66 sanctioned with a final written warning and 95 sanctioned with dismissal.
Employees were advised of their rights to appeal against the findings or sanctions imposed. An alternative was given to waive this right and appeal and refer the dispute to the South African Local Government Bargaining Council.
The Facebook-page of Lekwa Ratepayers Association was not flattering towards the outcome, referring to Ms Mhlongo-Ntshangase’s management of the municipality.
Ratepayers said however, that the ongoing strikes were illegal, but pointed out that politics come into play.
According to the association, the inability of the mayor, Mr Linda Dhlamini, and Ms Mhlongo-Ntshangase to work together, is destroying the town.
An allegation was made that the workers downed tools with the purpose of dismissing the municipal manager.
Another allegation was that Lekwa’s problems are because of a lack of leadership.
On a sober note, the association warned that major issues in terms of water, sanitation, electricity and more can be expected due to staff shortages.
Workers have a right to appeal within seven days of the date of the letter.
A remark was made to the Standerton Advertiser about the number of times these strikes featured on front pages. It was taken to heart, suffice to say that it hit the headlines five times since 14 August.
