In a letter addressed to the Minister of Energy, the collective maintained that the strike had limited impact, claiming that fewer than 25 per cent of staff had participated despite what it described as pressure from certain union figures. The group asserted that none of the VRS applicants had joined the industrial action and had instead chosen to distance themselves from activities they believe could hinder the CEB’s ongoing reform programme.
The employees stressed that electricity supply has been designated an essential public service under a Presidential Order issued in terms of the Essential Public Services Act. They pointed out that Section 2(2) of the Act makes it a criminal offence for employees in an essential service to abstain from duty, refuse to perform assigned tasks, or engage in conduct that disrupts service delivery.
Further, they noted that Section 6 of the Act removes trade union immunity in such circumstances, meaning participation in a strike cannot be cited as a defence if legal proceedings are instituted.
On this basis, the collective called on authorities to treat the matter as a criminal offence rather than a protected labour dispute, and to initiate action against those who organised the strike.
The group also appealed to the Minister to proceed without delay in gazetting the “Appointed Date” to advance the final stage of the CEB restructuring process. In the event of administrative delays, they requested that VRS applicants be granted approved no-pay leave until the reform measures are formally implemented.
