Safety workers still unsure of future

Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The future of 60 Bitou public safety employees – whose contracts were last month temporarily terminated – remains uncertain.

The 40 law enforcement officers and 20 firefighters last month claimed they were told on 7 February to go home, after the Bitou Municipality’s human resources department informed them that their contracts, some of which only expire on 30 June this year, had been terminated due to financial issues.

Some of these employees played key roles in the Plettenberg Bay and Knysna fires in June last year and were largely responsible for tracking down and arresting dangerous criminals including an alleged murderer and rapist.

The announcement led to a large-scale outcry from not only the workers but also the community. Following several meetings, the municipality temporarily placed the termination of contracts on hold and ordered the men and women back to work.

Acting municipal manager Johnny Douglas earlier said this action was taken to provide municipal administration time to prepare a substantive report to be presented to council at a meeting that was scheduled for the end of February, to consider the continued employment or termination of the workers’ contracts.

This week, municipal spokesman Manfred van Rooyen said the issue had since been referred back to the mayoral committee and executive management team for consideration.

“Importantly, all the employees remain in employ until a decision is taken,” Van Rooyen said.

Read previous articles here:

ARTICLE & PHOTO: YOLANDÉ STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT

'We bring you the latest Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route news'