Ndlovu to face Nehawu over court-protected HOD

Union says Morolo's axing remains its key demand

- By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu is gearing up for a tense meeting with leaders of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) on Wednesday, as pressure mounts to fire public works head of department (HOD) Charles Morolo, who returned to office under the protection of a court interdict.

Morolo vanished from work earlier this year after weeks of protest action outside his office. But in May, he hit back, securing a temporary interdict from the Mbombela High Court that effectively banned Nehawu from protesting for his removal, intimidating staff or interfering with departmental operations.

Police were authorised to arrest protesters and deploy public order policing if necessary.

While that legal win brought Morolo back to his desk, it has failed to extinguish the political wildfire around him.

Nehawu Mpumalanga provincial secretary Welcome Mnisi told Sunday World the premier can expect tough questions over the unresolved crisis in their meeting.