THE South African National Civic Organisation believes temporary workers, who lost their jobs at the Makhado municipality in Limpopo, were victims of a power struggle.

The 10 temporary workers were stopped from duty only a day after they started work, allegedly on the orders of a senior municipal official last week.

According to local Sanco secretary Godi Ramadwa the process to hire the temporary workers was initiated by ANC ward councillor Vinci Mahladisa.

The temporary workers were to assist the municipality in clearing roads and cleaning a cemetery in Vleifontein.

Ramadwa said Mahladisa had lodged a proposal for the hiring of temporary workers to municipal manager Shadrack Tshikalange. The proposal was approved together with a similar one for Waterval township for 15 temporary workers.

But Sowetan has reliably learnt that the matter also involve complaints by community members about the way Mahladisa recruited the temporary workers. He was accused of recommending people close to him.

But Mahladisa dismissed the allegations.