​Following the disturbances and incidents of unprotected industrial action in Mpumalanga which has seriously impacted the rendering of services by the Department of Employment and Labour and its entities, the Director General Thobile Lamati has dispatched a high-powered Executive Management team to meet with the unions who are party to the action.

The meeting has been set for Friday between the Department and National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union and Public Service Association in Mbombela.

The meeting is a sequel to disturbances at the provincial office following allegations made by the unions against the department’s provincial head.

Lamati condemned the action by some members which led to citizens being denied much-needed services saying while the right to strike or protest is available to everyone who is aggrieved, there is never justification for the exercise of that right to impede citizens from receiving services that they deserve.

"The right to strike or protest should be conducted within the ambit of the existing laws, prescripts and policies. It cannot be that in the process, this right is exercised at the expense of clients. It is also not acceptable to threaten staff members because there is a disagreement," said DG Lamati.

Lamati committed to a have all the allegations that have been levelled at the regional office investigated and follow the recommendations thereof.

"Allegations need to be tested and wherever the investigations lead, the department will act accordingly," the DG said.