MALALANE – Workers from the Nkomazi Local Municipality took to the streets yesterday, July 2, marching to the municipal offices to hand over a memorandum of demands outlining their grievances amid ongoing salary disputes.
This follows the municipality’s announcement last week that financial constraints would prevent employees from receiving their full salaries, sparking widespread outrage.
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According to reports, the municipality planned to pay workers on different dates. The basic salaries on July 2, overtime payments on July 4, and third-party benefits, such as medical aid, on July 7. However, workers demanded immediate payment of their full salaries, including overtime and benefits, which led them to down tools last week.
The municipality cited financial constraints due to the end of the financial year as the reason for the delayed payments.
Nkomazi municipality spokesperson, Mbuso Malale previously acknowledged the municipality’s inability to pay employee benefits, attributing it to the end of the financial year.
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“We only managed to pay basic salaries, which is what is enshrined in our contracts with the employer,” Malale explained. “The reason is that the 30th of June marks the end of the financial year, and our fiscal is dry. However, we promise that by the 4th of July, all that is due to us will be paid.”
The march was led by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and joined by other unions, including the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) and the Independent Municipal & Allied Trade Union (IMATU). These unions are fighting not only for the payment of full salaries, but also calling for a forensic investigation into alleged mismanagement of funds within the municipality.
IMATU Chairperson, Ernest Sitiba expressed frustration over the situation, saying, “We are still waiting for positive results from our negotiations. The negotiations have been ongoing, but there are no results yet. That is why we are here today to tell management that it’s enough – the exploitation of our workers must stop.” The situation remains tense as workers await the payment of their full salaries and benefits.
