The City of Tshwane’s possible decision to rehire 43 former employees dismissed during the 2023 unprotected strike elicited mixed reactions.
Image: Oupa Mokoena/ Independent Media
The City of Tshwane’s potential decision to rehire 43 former employees dismissed during the 2023 unprotected strike for allegedly burning buses under the DA-led administration has drawn mixed reactions.
While the DA criticised the move, saying the city would be bringing criminals back into its workforce, the ANC said there was no proof to support claims that the workers committed any crime.
The South African Municipal Workers Union has demanded reinstatement for almost three years since the 2023 unprotected strike, and recently welcomed the council’s move.
Tshwane Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise recently said the coalition government found workers “frustrated and hurt” after the 2023 strike dismissals. He promised all 43 workers fired under the DA-led administration would be reinstated.
ANC caucus spokesperson Joel Masilela said the regional ANC executive committee welcomed the council’s decision to possibly reinstate the workers.
He said: "The ANC has always maintained that the DA led coalition was an instrument of dismantling a capable local state, they inherited, through deliberately frustrating workers of the city, and the creation of a racist political arsenal aimed at weakening the municipality."
The DA has slammed Tshwane’s plan to rehire workers fired for torching buses during a 2023 unprotected strike, saying it would return criminals to the municipality.
DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink said those workers took part in public violence, intimidation, assault and wilful destruction of property.
He said: "The illegal strike caused immense damage to the City of Tshwane. Municipal vehicles were torched, infrastructure was vandalised, workers were intimidated, an employee was shot, and critical services including refuse removal, public transport and electricity operations were severely disrupted."
Brink said residents and ratepayers paid the price for weeks, and the DA-led government at the time took a firm stance by dismissing employees involved in the crime.
"We sent a clear message that violence is not a legitimate form of negotiation and that intimidation and destruction would not be tolerated as bargaining tools inside the municipality," he said.
He vowed that the DA will strongly oppose any attempt to reverse disciplinary processes involving misconduct linked to violence and criminality.
"If such a decision were to go through, it would expose the coalition government’s continued disregard for accountability, discipline and the rule of law,” he said.
Brink said the DA has written to City Manager Johann Mettler, warning that if the reports prove true and he proceeds with any unlawful reinstatements, the DA will consider legal action.
Masilela said the DA called the 43 dismissed workers “criminals” but provided no proof when challenged.
He said the council has resolved to allow the city manager to submit a detailed report on the claims and the mayoral committee will then recommend to council how to implement the reinstatement.
"So, as the ANC, we welcome this decision and we are confident that the government will continue to roll out massive infrastructure investments into our townships and make sure that we employ more of our people in the city and afford them the dignity they deserve," he said.
Masilela added that the council has passed a report to insource 100 security guards , a move he said will contribute towards increasing the advancement of a capable local state.
"The 100 security guards that will be brought into the City of Tshwane, will be supported with all required equipment, with every necessary tool of trade," Masilela said, adding that those security guards will be employed on a full-time basis.
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