Striking municipal employees have again surrounded the municipality, barring members of the public from entering.

Yesterday, members of the public that did make it inside the municipal premises were locked inside with strikers refusing them an exit.

Mr Johnathan Haarhoff told www.mobserver.co.za that he was assaulted with a slap to the face by one of the strikers when he demanded to leave the premises.
He, and others, were held hostage for hours before the police could negotiate a safe passage for them to leave.

Mr Haarhoff says he witnessed at least one other member of the public being assaulted.

Strikers are gathering outside the municipal gates where police remain stationed.

A recommendation regarding the 24-month back pay agreement on salary increases was reached yesterday.

According to the recommendation, in the budgeted pool of money earmarked for the back pay agreement, beneficiaries in management will receive 20 per cent of monies owed, while the remaining 80 per cent pool of budgeted increases will be divided equally among all other employees.

The recommendation will have to be considered by the council, though a meeting has not been called yet.

The municipality is currently dependent on outside contractors to maintain service delivery.