The Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism has called on employees of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency who are on strike not to disrupt operations at tourist sites.

The workers have embarked on an unprotected strike, demanding permanent appointments for all the temporary workers. The contracts of the temporary workers end this month.

The workers disrupted operations in all the tourist attraction sites under the agency.

Police were called but failed to stop the action.

MEC Makhosazane Masilela says they will meet with NEHAWU, which represents the workers, to discuss the way forward.

“But unfortunately, because they mobilise the community so that the members of the community can be on their side, unfortunately, the intervention didn’t work, and we will be meeting with Nehawu to resolve the challenges, but the dispute between the entity and Nehawu is that the entity employed temporary workers, and their term comes to an end on the 31st of March. That is the main issue; as of now, the entity is not in a good financial position so that the temporary workers can continue.”

MPUMALANGA TOURISM AND PARKS AGENCY (MTPA) CONDEMS ILLIGAL STRIKE IN NATURE RESERVES UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC ENTITY. pic.twitter.com/pRJQ88JuJz

— Mpumalanga Tourism (@Mtpatourism) March 20, 2025