UPDATE: Meeting between opposition parties and striking employees continues

Employees and opposition parties are still in negotiations with striking employees who called a meeting with councillors for 10:00 this morning. The meeting, however, only started around 12:00 and is yet to conclude.

According to insiders at the meeting, employees say they are content with the benchmarking process which exposed a lot of secondary issues like job grading and levels.

The municipality is addressing pressing issues like post levels for long-serving employees that are at the same salary level than entry-level employees for instance.

Employees are also calling for distinction between those holding degrees and postgraduate qualifications, compared to employees on the same salary levels which don’t have formal qualifications.

According to a councillor locked in ongoing discussions with the employees, there is strict legal processes that have to be followed for council to unseat Advocate Khenisa.

Employees have been told “to come with proof,” where accusations of corruption is being levelled against Advocate Khenisa.

The workers will have to petition Speaker Thomas Mpye with accusations and proof where after a special council sitting will be called within seven days of lodging the formal complaints.

Council will then approve an independent investigation into allegations and make a consequent decision on Advocate Khenisa’s employment based on the investigation outcomes.

Bottom-line is Advocate Khenisa cannot simply be fired.

Councillors remain hopeful that the discussion will conclude in workers agreeing to go back to work. Advocate Khenisa’s contract with the municipality expires in October.