The latest wave of dismissals has sparked controversy, following previous terminations across the provincial government, including more than 150 long-term workers in the premier’s office.

On Friday morning (25/10), the EFF led a march of the affected workers to the premier’s office in Bloemfontein, where they handed over a memorandum demanding premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae’s resignation.

EFF provincial secretary Bosanku Msimanga condemned her actions, calling it a “reckless move that endangers lives”, especially as the province faces a 40% staff shortage in the health sector. “These frontline workers stood firm during the Covid-19 pandemic, yet today they find themselves retrenched. It’s unconscionable, particularly given the critical shortage of staff in health.”

Workers whose contracts were terminated and EFF members picketing outside the Free State Premier's offices. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

Adding to Letsoha-Mathae’s troubles are multiple criminal charges filed by the EFF, ActionSA, and the DA, alleging corruption involving her Mangaung Metro Speaker husband Lawrence Mathae, Free State Provincial Legislature Speaker Mxolisi Dukwana, and New Beginnings Project CEO Patrick Phuti, related to irregularities in the Tweespruit road construction contract.

The Free State Health Department confirmed the termination of 1,340 contracts for workers hired to address the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi explained the workers were later integrated into various health department roles. 

The department could, however, no longer afford Covid-19 salaries due to budget constraints. Where possible, some workers were retained to fill vacant, funded positions.

The Free State EFF Provincial Secretary-General, Bosanku Msimanga. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

But former health worker Tikoe Chalale, who served at Pelonomi Hospital, expressed frustration with the department’s lack of communication, saying their contracts were abruptly ended without pay for their final month.

“We are now jobless, depressed, and anxious. The department’s actions have left us in the lurch, and we fear for the future of healthcare in this province.”

Chalale said further staff reductions would further worsen Pelonomi’s poor working conditions, impeding the hospital’s capacity to deliver essential services.

Msimanga also raised concerns over the termination of additional contracts under Letsoha-Mathae’s administration, including 52,000 Extended Public Works Programme workers, some who provided vital community services, such as soup kitchens.

He argued withdrawing support for these initiatives puts vulnerable people, including those on HIV treatment, at significant risk.

Letsoha-Mathae targeted employees connected to former premiers Ace Magashule and Sisi Ntombela, Msimanga claimed, calling her actions “childish” and driven by political motivations rather than competence or job performance.

The EFF vowed to continue pressing for the premier’s resignation and for the legislature’s ethics committee to investigate what it terms “reckless and damaging” actions by the premier.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg