Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Marieta Visser and Sesotho by Karabo Khakhau MP.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Masilonyana Local Municipality is gravely concerned about the persistent salary payment delays affecting municipal employees, causing significant hardship to families across the community.
We were recently notified that employees’ salaries will be payable on or before 5 October 2023, with overtime and allowances scheduled for payment on 15 October 2023. However, the core issue at hand goes beyond these delays; it is a symptom of a much larger problem that demands urgent attention.
The municipality’s financial crisis has been exacerbated by several factors, notably an unmanageable Eskom debt standing at R 150,736,875 and counting. This burden, coupled with the municipality’s flawed billing system and outdated General Valuation Roll from 2015, has resulted in an unsustainable deficit within the budget. Moreover, the failure to establish a credible, audited Indigent Register has hindered the ability to claim the Equitable Share designated for providing essential services to those unable to pay.
The DA is pushing for the immediate implementation of an updated billing system, incorporating VAT and rectifying the outdated General Valuation Roll. Additionally, we urge the municipality to initiate an intensive ‘data cleansing’ operation to resolve disputes, ensure accurate billing for all households, and increase the number of paying customers. Furthermore, we are committed to establishing a transparent and credible Indigent Register, which will allow the municipality to effectively allocate resources and claim the Equitable Share.
We urge the community to stand with us in this endeavour. Together, we can rectify the billing system, clear disputes, and establish a fair, audited Indigent Register. By doing so, we will not only resolve the immediate salary crisis but also ensure a sustainable financial future for Masilonyana, benefiting every member of our community.