DA threatens legal action after mayoral committee plans to rehire 43 workers sacked over violent Tshwane strike

According to The Citizen, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane has warned it will oppose any attempt to reverse disciplinary actions that led to the dismissal of workers connected to violence and criminality during a 2023 strike.

DA signals legal challenge

The mayoral committee in Tshwane announced an intention to rehire 43 ex-employees who were dismissed during what The Citizen described as the violent, unprotected strike of 2023. The DA in Tshwane said it would strongly oppose any attempt to undo those disciplinary processes.

DA statement on violence and discipline

DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink said the party had acted decisively at the time of the strike.

“The DA-led government at the time took a firm stance by dismissing staff involved in this criminality. We sent a clear message that violence is not a legitimate form of negotiation and intimidation and destruction would not be tolerated as bargaining tools inside the municipality,”

The Citizen reported.

Brink also told The Citizen the DA has written to the city manager and warned that should the reports prove true and the city proceed with any unlawful reinstatements, the DA would consider legal action.

ANC reaction

The Citizen reported that ANC regional secretary George Matjila welcome[d] the move to reinstate the 43 workers who were fired.

What happens next

The Citizen’s reporting indicates a potential legal dispute if the city moves forward with reinstatements that the DA says would reverse disciplinary outcomes related to violence and criminality during the 2023 strike.