The Citizen reports that protests at a municipal services centre in Mamelodi have halted operations at the area’s Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) office. The DEL shares premises with the City of Tshwane municipal offices which are currently the target of disgruntled former municipal employees The Thusong Service Centres, created to give communities easier access to all government services, place multiple departments together in the same location. The DEL said the closure of the offices would be indefinite and lamented the significant impact it would have on services in the area.  

“Such actions undermine the fundamental principles of our democracy, particularly the freedom of movement,” the department stated. Gauteng Provincial Communication Officer Mishack Magakwe elaborated on the reason for the protest and office closure. “The protests are related to contracts terminated by the municipality so they disrupted everyone. We share the yard, entrance and exit gate,” Magakwe told The Citizen. The DEL urged Mamelodi residents to use their online portal to access labour-related assistance. Services available online include UIF filing and compliance, employment equity reporting, employer registration, as well as inspection and enforcement services, among others.

Earlier in the week, the centre Mamelodi offices were swarmed by an angry group of protestors identifying themselves as waste management service providers. The City Of Tshwane underwent a tender process which led to the exclusion of the protestors. Mashilo said the City would forge ahead with its refuse removal contract specifications and not be cowed by violence.

by Jarryd Westerdale