CHITUNGWIZA municipality workers yesterday returned to work amid reports that several participants in the strike face dismissal. The Labour Court ruled that the one-week strike by the workers was illegal and gave council the green light to take disciplinary action against the participants. On Wednesday, Labour and Social Services Minister Paurina Mpariwa issued a show cause order inviting the workers' representatives to justify the strike before the Labour Court. The minister also directed the workers to temporarily end the strike pending the Labour Court proceedings, but the workers defied the order.

Council lawyer Mr Rogers Matsikidze of Matsikidze and Mucheche law firm yesterday said several workers who took part in the illegal strike faced dismissal.

"The strike was declared illegal and we were granted permission to take disciplinary action against those who participated in the illegal strike. Several workers face disciplinary action over the strike. Some were identified dumping garbage in front of the town clerk's office.

"Some were seen throwing stones. Surely heads will roll at Chitungwiza Town Council. Mr George Makunde, the new town clerk, has been in office for just one month and the workers have already given him an ultimatum to go. We have to correct that tendency at Chitungwiza. They expected Mr Makunde to perform miracles and turnaround the financial situation overnight," said Mr Matsikidze.