The bodyguard of embattled cooperative governance and traditional affairs administration head Stanley Khanyile allegedly used pepper spray to fend off angry workers baying for his boss’s blood yesterday.
The drama unfolded yesterday morning at the department’s headquarters in Bhisho when Khanyile reported for a second day at work after being suspended by his MEC Fikile Xasa in October.
Khanyile reported for duty this week after receiving correspondence from the department’s legal services that his suspension had been lifted.
The correspondence came just days before Khanyile was to take his bosses – Xasa and premier Phumulo Masualle – to the labour court in a bid to retain his post after the Public Service Commission (PSC) recommended he be reinstated. Its report – released earlier this month – found Xasa had no authority to suspend Khanyile.
Khanyile, in his office on Wednesday, said he was welcomed by Xasa, who later convened a management meeting to announce his return.
However, about 100 employees downed tools and blockaded the department’s main entrance to prevent him from entering. Police were called to keep an eye on proceedings.
Nehawu’s leader in the department, Lennox Maho, yesterday said workers had not been officially informed of Khanyile’s return. Maho said the workers gathered on the second floor, where Khanyile’s office is situated, in a bid to get answers from authorities as to why he had been allowed back.
As the workers gathered, a pepper spray was released by Khanyile’s bodyguard, causing panic and forcing everyone to vacate the floor, he said.
“No one remained inside.”
“He reported for work earlier this month and was prevented by security from entering the building. There have been investigations against him and we have not yet been informed of the outcome of those. Now we are told he is back because of technicalities.
“That is not acceptable as we don’t want him here until we know the outcome,” Maho said. Yesterday’s commotion was “unfortunate”, he added, and accused police called to escort Khanyile to his office of taking sides.
Khanyile yesterday confirmed he was back in office. A trip to the Labour Court this morning was “only to confirm that an agreement to let me return to work has been reached”.
Asked about the pepper spray, he said: “I also experienced the pepper spray but I would not know who released it. It may be dangerous to speculate who did.”
Xasa could not be reached for comment. — asandan@dispatch.co.za