The department’s Chief Director of Human Resources and Labour Relations, Gladys Mapheto, tells OFM News that the department was taken by a surprise when members of Nehawu embarked on a national strike at TVET colleges which lasted for at least two weeks.

She says the department has never at any stage disagreed with the unions’ requests, and the department has always been engaging the union and furthermore took certain resolutions with it.

OFM News previously reported that, amongst other issues that led to the national TVET protests, requests included permanent employment for contract workers, pension benefits for workers in the Community Education Training sector, and a proper system for examinations that will ensure exam papers are not leaked. The union also demanded that the Higher Education and Training director-general, Gwebinkundla Qonde, who the unions say is not fit for the position, vacate office. Mapheto says the strike the union embarked on, was really not necessary and the union is the one that was found lacking in singing certain settlement agreements.

Meanwhile, the director-general of the department, Gwebinkundla Qonde, in a statement says the department, in consultation with Treasury, has begun implementing the “No Work, No Pay” rule, and will be docking the salaries of all those who were part of the strike. The DG Qonde further condemned the violence, destruction of property and intimidation that accompanied the strike and express serious concerns that it was coming mainly from the union members, who claim to be part of the progressive forces.