The DA was shocked to learn that during Level 3 of the national lockdown, that government reportedly permitted approximately 60 percent of its workforce to take leave.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) released a statement on Monday, 12 October 2020, expressing shock at reports claiming that the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Senzo Mchunu had permitted more than half of public servants to take leave between Monday, 1 June and Monday, 17 August 2020. This equates to 648 313 of the 1 169 580 people employed by national and provincial government departments, which is a total of 60 percent. The statement went on to allege that more than half of the staff went on paid leave during this time.
The DA expressed disbelief at the “callousness” of the ruling party. It went on to state, “Many of these same government cadres are still not back at work. Instead, many have now embarked on a strike for higher wages.”
The DA concluded the statement by noting, “[The] DA looks forward to challenging Minister Mchunu and his fat cat union allies.” The meeting is set to take place on Friday, 16 October 2020.
Read the full statement below.
At precisely the moment that SA needed a capable state more desperately than ever the ANC government sent nearly 60% of all public servants on paid leave.
648 313 people employed by government decided to take time off from work during lockdown level 3.https://t.co/00vvQssO9v
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) October 12, 2020
Sabelo Makhubo
s.makhubo@politicalanalysis.co.za
