Question NW448 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Reply:

1. The information requested by the Honourable Member has been obtained by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) from the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE). The response to the question and its sub-components by the CoE is as outlined below.

No female Firefighters employed by the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) was suspended for requesting a meeting with the President of the Republic, Mr M.C Ramaphosa, to highlight their grievances relating to alleged discrepancies in the payment of allowances around 23 August 2018. However, Forty-seven (47) female Firefighters employed by the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) was suspended, with full remuneration, in September 2018 for undermining the established internal processes of the CoE to deal with labour disputes and for bringing the name of the City into disrepute when they participated in a protest at the Union Building whilst in full uniform of the CoEs’ Emergency Services.

(a) Names of Firefighters implicated in the matter

Names of Firefighters implicated in the matter

Employee / Firefighter	Pay number
KR Rakgoale	22312
BC Mtungwa	22582
PM Seete	18792
L Nkawane	16993AA
P Shipalana	17313
B Mavuso	Z0000103
R Mafunda	17276
A Magagula	22375AAby
J Mbedzi	23461
C Mapadimeng	19263AA
K Belle	Z0015671
TE Machave	22551AA
L Molefe	19353AA
F Mojapelo	15749
A Ratsema( Mogomezulu)	M091/21
V Kgapula	20637
S Mashinini	Z0017958
P Shabangu	17137
T Madlala	17404
S Mkwanazi	Z0017947
N Sibanyoni	Z0017941
N Mashaba	22536AA
NN Ngobeni	24903
DM Molefe	22394AA
ML Mangena	17263
SA Mokale	17043
BG Makhubu	23463
SF Nxumalo	22523AA
P Mbatha	41282
O Madolo	C27294
A Radebe	M548/21
V Mashile	15666
M Gandamipfa	22574AA
E Mabena	F0200572
T Mateke	35351
M Sindane	17120
P Makeke	C28487
P Mainganye	19334AA
Z Radebe	F0200644
M Lephoto	22564AA
KV Maredi	23466
NR Ramoshunya	15699
LJ Kumako	15686
RP Malatji	17373
MG Hlongwane	T036131
N Motseke	19283AA
DG Lushaba	C27421

(b) Reason for suspension in each case

All the female Firefighters listed were suspended, with full remuneration, in September 2018 for undermining the established internal processes of the CoE to deal with labour disputes and for bringing the name of the City into disrepute when they participated in a protest action at the Union Building whilst in full uniform of the CoE Emergency Services.

2. Thirty-seven (37) of the female Firefighters had entered into a plea agreement with the CoE during the disciplinary process. They received a Final Written warning as sanction for their misconduct, their suspensions were lifted and they were reinstated to perform their normal duty. Ten (10) female Firefighters remain on suspension, with full remuneration, pending the outcome of the ongoing disciplinary process.

Emergency Services is an essential service which protects the lives and property. The Labour Relations Act provides guidance on participation in industrial action by essential services members. The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has signed a collective agreement with Labour setting out the requirements and conditions applicable to members of essential services. The behavior of Firefighters was inconsistent with this agreement hence the City had to effect the suspensions.

The NDMC is of the view that the City acted appropriately under the circumstances as participation in illegal industrial action by Firefighters has the potential to undermine the safety and well-being of communities who depend on them for response to fires, accidents and other life threatening situations.

Ends…