By Obakeng Maje
Pudumoe- The dispute between Old Age project contractor and his deposed employees has been resolved.

Fourteen employees were fired by contractor Eddie Toms after some payment dispute.

According to Pelonomi Phoko, Toms fired them for no apparent reasons and replaced them with other 14 employees from Limpopo province.

“We were just fired for no apparent reasons. When we arrived at work on Monday two weeks ago, the contractor told us that we are fired and informed us to come and fetch our contract termination letters” Phoko said.

She said they were victimized by Toms because they stand for their rights and they are outspoken.

Thabang Property Development contractor was hired by department of Public Works to build an Old Age centre in Pudumoe location, near Taung.

The contractor and his son were arrested for common assault after they allegedly beaten one of then fired employees, Poloko Motsewabone.

“I was assaulted by the contractor and his son at the site after an argument. He threatened to shoot me and pointed me with a firearm and knife” Motsewabone said.

He further said Pudumoe Police allegedly refused to open a case of pointing of firearm against the contractor.

However North West police captain Pelonomi Makau refutes the claim, but confirmed that a case of common assault was opened against Pudumoe Old-Age Centre contractor.

“We know that the victim launched a case of common assault against the contractor and never launched a case of point of firearm against the perpetrator. We would like to advice the victim to go back to the station and add more charges and meet with station commissioner if the police refuse to help him” Makau said.

The 14 employees returned to work after a thorough intervention from North West Public Works Director George Madoda.

“We can confirm that 14 employees who were fired by Thabang Property Development contractor returned to work and some of their grievances will be dealt with in no time. The agreement was reached both between them [contractor and employees]” Madoda said.

The agreement brings to an end the dilemma that was hovering over the project and the two year contract signed by employees stands.
-TDN
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