Pretoria – The City of Tshwane has announced that it is “currently evaluating” the directive from the SA Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) regarding the reinstatement of five senior employees who were suspended due to their involvement in a questionable tender for the upgrade of the Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Plant.

This facility is vital for purification, as it treats sewage water and supplies it to households in Hammanskraal.

The tender, awarded in 2019 to NJR Projects and Blackhead Consulting, has since been terminated for non-performance.

The SALGBC has ordered that the suspended council employees be reinstated by January 20.

Furthermore, the bargaining council has decided that these employees should receive compensation for two months’ salary because of their unfair suspension.

“The employees have been on full pay suspension since last year. The city is currently reviewing the arbitration award and its possible implications,” said City of Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba in a statement on Monday, (6 January 2025).

“Additionally, the city intends to enlist the support of a senior legal counsel to advise on the forthcoming steps.”

Bokaba noted that the City of Tshwane had submitted an application to the Labour Court last year to review the findings and penalties set forth by the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing.

“This case is still pending in court, and the city has requested that the court expedite the review application,” Bokaba added.

He further stressed that the City of Tshwane would avoid making further comments on this matter “as it relates to human resource processes and is sub judice.”