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Agriculture workers up in arms over shifting of offices

Alex Matlala

Alex Matlala

A brouhaha has erupted between the provincial department of agriculture and workers in Polo- kwane over a contentious decision to move departmental offices.

The department of agriculture in Limpopo allegedly wanted to shift the offices of the department from Mankweng to Seshego and the other offices from Seshego to Chloe near Ellisras without consulting the workers.

The affected officials are extension workers based in Seshego and Mankweng. The move was, however, met with mixed feelings by the workers who described it as "unbecoming".

The employees complained that the offices they were supposed to move into in Seshego were incomplete and below acceptable standards. They claimed the offices were old and dilapidated.

They also claimed that the offices were far from their clients, who are based in Mankweng and surrounding villages. They said it was improper for the department to move the offices before consulting them.

The employees said they were only informed recently through letters that they would no longer operate from their present offices but would instead relocate to Seshego and Chloe.

Departmental spokesman Tembi Makhuvele said they were appointed to work in Aganang municipality, where there are no offices.

Makhuvele said the offices in Mankweng and Seshego were set up to enable employees to expedite service delivery in the area until such time as the offices in Aganang were complete.

"But we have not moved them to the refurbished offices in Chloe and Seshego, where we believe they would have a library to cater for all their needs," Makhuvele said.

He dismissed allegations that the offices in Chloe had no water, toilets and air conditioners.

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