Metro staff flee bug influx

The Tshwane metropolitan council says it is “coping with incoming calls” after staff abandoned its call centre two weeks ago because of an allegedly “out-of-control” insect infestation, reports Pretoria East Rekord.

“So far, we have not experienced an uncontrollable backlog and the situation is under control,” said Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.

“We are currently looking for alternative office space in our operational office.”

Employees at the call centre said insects were biting them at work, leaving them with rashes.

Mashigo said the last fumigation was done on February 13.

The employees claimed they were given cans of insect killer when they complained about the problem.

“The cans didn’t help,” a metro council employee, who wanted to remain anonymous, said.

Staff then abandoned their posts two weeks ago and haven’t come back

But Mashigo put it slightly differently: “Workers report for duties daily and then – depending on the specific situation – are released,” he said.

The trouble started when the employees complained to their superiors about an unpleasant smell coming from the carpets.

“Since last year, water has been leaking from the ceilings,” one employee said.

“This caused the office carpets to smell bad.”

The staff continued to complain about the stink from the carpets, but were still coming to work.

Things, however, took a turn for the worse when the building was fumigated.

“Then these biting insects crawled out of nowhere,” a staff member said.

“We are pleading with management to take this issue seriously.”

South African Municipal Workers’ Union shop steward Charles Siwela said: “The message is clear.

“We will not go back to work in an infested office.”

“The Tshwane metro must rectify the situation.” – Caxton News Service

Things took a turn for the worse when the building was fumigated. Then these biting insects crawled out of nowhere. We are pleading with management to take this issue seriously.

Anonymous Call centre staffer