NOT HAPPY: Social Development workers protest yesterday. Picture: EUGENE COETZEE
POLICE used stun grenades yesterday to disperse about 100 Department of Social Development workers who were protesting outside the department’s office in Struandale.
The protest started at 8am when workers in Nehawu T-shirts downed tools after management failed to respond to a list of demands given to it on Thursday.
The workers wanted answers relating to employees who had been placed on probation and about an employee who they claimed had been fired for corruption but was back at work.
They also said the human relations department was dysfunctional.
Police blocked the entrance to the building and threw stun grenades at about 10am.
Nehawu regional deputy chairwoman Lusanda Cain said: “We don’t understand why management called the police, because they failed to respond to our demands.
“District manager Thembile Ngqabayi was allegedly on sick leave and he sent the acting corporate services manager in the district to receive the demands.
“They promised to respond in writing on Monday, but nothing happened,” Cain said.
Department head Stanley Khanyile said: “I have asked the workers to go back to work as all their demands will be discussed.”
Colonel Sibongile Soci said the complaints from workers that police had acted in a heavy-handed manner would be investigated.
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