Govt offers Alpheous E1.2m

GOVERNMENT has offered to pay Alpheous Mfana Nxumalo E1.2 million in a bid to settle the dispute surrounding the termination of his employment contract.

Nxumalo was represented by lawyer Khumbulani Msibi when he appeared before the Industrial Court yesterday where government was represented by counsel Ndabenhle Dlamini.

During proceedings, Dlamini informed the court that government was prepared to table an offer of E1.2 million to resolve the matter.

The latest offer follows an earlier proposal by government to pay Nxumalo a sum equivalent to his Grade F3 salary multiplied by eight months, which amounted to approximately E400 000. However, Nxumalo rejected it.

Addressing the court, Msibi said he would need to consult with his client regarding the new offer.

He further indicated that such offers should be formally presented in writing rather than made orally in court.

In a correspondence dated April 20, Magagula Attorneys, acting on behalf of Nxumalo, had informed the attorney general that they had rejected government’s earlier offer in its entirety after consulting their client.

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“We have been instructed to reject your offer in its entirety,” the law firm stated.

The rejection followed a letter from the attorney general’s office dated April 17, in which government proposed settling the matter by paying Nxumalo a lump sum equivalent to eight months’ salary at Grade F3, less statutory deductions.

“Would your client accept payment of a compound sum equivalent to his salary at Grade F3 multiplied by eight months, less statutory deductions, in full and final settlement of the dispute over the unworkable contract of employment?” reads part of government’s offer.

However, Magagula Attorneys had argued that the proposed settlement was misplaced and failed to address the issues currently before the court.

The firm pointed out that there was a pending contempt of court application aimed at enforcing an earlier court order granted in favour of Nxumalo.

“Before court is a pending contempt of court application designed to enforce a court order granted in favour of our client on January 21, directing your clients to pay the outstanding salary due to ours,” the firm stated.

The matter has been postponed to May 26 for continuation.