Update

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Community Work Programme (CWP) participants aged 55 to 60 have been given the green light to return to work.

This was confirmed in a circular sent out on 5 February by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa. 

These participants' contracts were initially terminated at the end of December last year, but were later reinstated to the original end date of 31 March. 

However, despite this reinstatement, they were subsequently instructed to leave their work sites until further notice, causing considerable confusion.

The minister has now clarified the situation, confirming that all CWP participants were allowed to report for duty on 6 February. 

He reiterated that the R1.3bn budget cut imposed on the CWP programme by National Treasury is severely affecting the department's ability to sustain its operational costs, but gave the assurance that solutions are being explored to address these financial challenges. 

He said that affected CWP participants will be informed in due time how their lost time will be recovered.

Councillor Eldrige Ruiters, who went above and beyond to assist the affected participants, welcomed this announcement and reaffirmed the need for explicit written communication to prevent similar misunderstandings in the future. 

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