These include concerns over maladministration, corruption, and nepotism allegations. The group that embarked on a picket outside their offices at the Southern Life Plaza Building in Bloemfontein on Friday, says their working conditions at the Legislature have become unbearable and they are also calling for the Speaker, Zanele Sifuba, to vacate the office. 

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union's (Nehawu) branch chairperson, Monnapule Matshediso, tells OFM News they will picket every day during their lunch hour until their plight is addressed.

He says there is a plan to embark on a "full-blown industrial action" should their call continue to fall on deaf ears.

"We are raising the matter that there are some benefits that have been retracted from members of the legislature, without consulting the union," he said.

These benefits include the recognition of the long service award, which is said to have been in place for over two decades.  

He says several decisions, affecting employees, are being taken without due diligence nor following proper procedures.

Matshediso highlights they are extremely concerned over recruitment policies with several people now occupying positions because of their affiliations to the politically connected.

"There is a list of people that we don't know where they are coming from, being brought into the Legislature while we have a challenge with upward mobility," he reiterated.

The Free State Legislature's spokesperson Life Mokone is yet to respond to OFM News' set of questions.

OFM News