The burning of Masilela’s house in Mhluzi near Middelburg is a culmination of tensions that started last year when employees demanded salary increases.
Over 1 000 employees have been demanding that the ANC-led council must abide by its resolution and pay them salaries according to a grade five municipality. Only councillors and senior managers have been earning improved salaries while those below them have remained on lower remuneration of a grade four municipality.