From left to right: Tsholofelo Maudi, Excellence Mtshweni, Isaac Mudalamo, Jeff Makanyi, Thabang Molewa, Jeff Pale, and Greg Cele, former employees of the City of Tshwane, plead for re-employment. Photo by Kgomotso Medupe.
AXED workers demand answers from maspala!
Since August 2023, dismissed City of Tshwane employees have been in limbo.
Initially suspended for allegedly engaging in an unlawful strike that led to the torching and vandalism of municipal vehicles, their future remains uncertain.
Hundreds were suspended by former mayor Cilliers Brink. Days later, 83 were reinstated, but 43 are still jobless.
The jobless workers have now turned to new Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya for help.
Excellence Mtshweni says life has not been the same since he’s been axed. Photo Kgomotso Medupe
Isaac Mudalamo, a former city bus driver, told Daily Sun they were accused of striking and not working that day, but said that wasn’t true.
He said they went to work but attended the union’s wage dispute meeting.
“We were at our depots because we were told to report there, and we did. But now we’re out because our employer won’t engage with us,” Isaac said.
He said it’s hurtful because some were suspended and others got their jobs back.
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“We don’t know why they decided we shouldn’t work but others should,” he said.
Another ex-employee Excellence Mtshweni, who was a revenue agent, said life has been tough. They lost homes, cars, and families due to unemployment.
“That’s why we’re asking the mayor to listen to us. We have proof we’re not criminals and were at work during the strike,” he said.
Jeff Pale and Tsholofelo Maudi pleading for their jobs. Photo by Kgomotso Medupe
City of Tshwane spokesman Lindela Mashego said the 41 employees weren’t suspended but dismissed for joining an illegal strike.
He said there was no plan to reinstate them.
“The employees took their unfair dismissal cases to the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC), but the issues are unresolved. Some withdrew. Others went to the Labour Court, while the rest didn’t pursue it further.
“The city responded to SALGBC, and the Labour Court cases, awaiting outcomes. The matter is before court, so engaging with the dismissed employees now isn’t possible,” said Mashego.
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