The Citizen reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) has downplayed reports that it would be ridding the municipalities it governs of workers and officials whom it feels are incompetent or not qualified.  

‘I don’t know where this rumour comes from about people losing their jobs.  It’s entirely untrue,’ James Selfe, the DA’s federal executive chairperson, said.  This followed the Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) writing a letter to the party, urging it to tread carefully in its planned skills audits and to avoid “purging” employees based on political affiliations.  Fedusa said with fear of purging, “panic and uncertainty” would take root in the local government structures.  Simon Mathe, general secretary of the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) said the union would not tolerate any purgings.

• Read this report by Simnikiwe Hlatshaneni in full at The Citizen

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page