Mafube Local Municipality employees threaten a total shutdown of the premises as their salaries are still not paid in time, as they embarked on a march demanding payment schedule to be respected.
Employees cry foul that they sometimes go for months without pay even though they would still continue to report for duty as expected.
The employees drafted a memorandum through the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) stating that they would no longer tolerate late payments, quoting Section 32 (3) of Basic Conditions of Employment Act of 1997, which emphasises that salary payments should not be later than seven days.
“Employee salaries were not paid on time for several years, including the month of May and June 2023. The employer has committed a breach of contract for failing to pay salaries, and the poor workers are subjected to exorbitant Bank charges and increase on interest injections.
“Third party payments (Pension funds, policies, schemes and etc.) were not paid for over a period of 12 years. Workers have lost their risk benefits due to employer committing fraud. Employees who went on pension are stuck in poverty and unable to cash their investments, and some died along the journey of poverty,” reads the memorandum in part.
They demand remuneration to be paid as scheduled on the 25th of every month and for money due to third parties to be paid within seven days from pay day and do away with months without pay.
“All areas in connection with employee third parties must be settled before the end of 2023/2024 financial year, 50% of the payments should be made within six months of the 2023/2024 financial year. Failure to comply with the demand will result in a total shutdown of the municipality.
“The municipality should take all the responsibility on effects of nonpayment of salaries, (loss of assets, bank charges, arrears, etc.),” reads the memorandum.
The memorandum also zoomed into issues surrounding vacant positions that are not being filled.
The employees claimed that the municipal manager post has been vacant for more than seven months, while some of the employees have been acting in positions for more than six months, some up to five years, and some employees have been working at the municipality for at least two years without official contracts.
“Samwu demands in relation to vacant posts [that] al section 56/57 manager posts must be filled within three months to ensure stability and accountability. All employees who have acted for more than six months must be confirmed on those positions within three months.
“All temporary employees must be immediately permanently appointed. Local people to be considered when appointing Section 56 and 57 employees,” states the memorandum.
Amongst others, the union also highlighted occupational safety concerns as some of the municipality vehicles have exceeded their lifespan and that urgent rural maintenance is needed around the area.
“We hereby recommend that all the demands as outlined be given immediate attention, and we anticipate [a] response within seven working days subsequent to your receipt of this memorandum.”
Mafube Local Municipality acting municipal manager Mothusi Lepheana said they are aware of the challenge at hand, and he has been working on the matter since he started working for the municipality in November last year.
He said the national treasury was delaying the financial recovery plan, but they have now found it and it is now being delayed by the Mafube Business Forum, who are given until July 11 to conclude their comments.
He said the financial plan will see a way forward for the municipality by analysing what led to the dismal financial failure of the municipality and the progress done since they noticed this challenge, as compared to plans of the future of the municipality.
“Municipal Workers Retirement Fund went to court and attached all municipal accounts. There is money to pay employees but we could not pay them because our accounts are attached, we cannot touch them. We are also expecting some money but when it comes, they will take it, so we are negotiating with them so it would at least be possible to make payments by next week,” said Lepheana.
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