PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - About 60 Bitou law enforcement officers and firefighters claim they were sacked today, Wednesday 7 February after being informed by the Bitou Municipality that their contracts, which only expire on 30 June, had been terminated with no prior warning.
Most of these employees, who are part of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP), had played an instrumental role in the June Plettenberg Bay and Knysna fire disaster and some, just days ago, were key roleplayers in arresting the alleged killer and rapist of a local hospice nurse.
The group, who gathered at the Piesang Valley Community Hall, said they were shocked and had only received a message at 07:00 this morning to attend a meeting at the Bitou council chambers at 08:00.
There they were informed by the municipality's human resources department that their contracts had been terminated due to financial issues.
Knysna-Plett Herald is waiting for clarity from the municipality.
More information as it becomes available.
ARTICLE: YOLANDÉ STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT
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