Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Richard van Wyk and Sesotho by Karabo Khakhau MP.
The recent setbacks faced by Kopanong Local Municipality in court regarding their appeal for service delivery funding have placed essential services across the municipality’s nine towns at risk. Financial constraints have led to adjusted work schedules for employees, and January salaries remain outstanding.
In December 2023, a critical blow was dealt when the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) pension fund attached the municipal account due to a staggering R67 million debt. Despite the municipality’s initial offer of R2 million to settle the matter, SAMWU declined, now demanding a hefty R19 million.
Despite the municipality’s efforts in court, their reasons were deemed inadequate, failing to secure immediate relief. This failure has left employees in nine towns without their January wages, heightening concerns that all municipal workers may face delayed payments until March.
The consequences of this situation are severe. The delay in salary disbursements, coupled with lapses in employee insurance and missed car payments, exacerbates the financial strain on the workforce and threatens the well-being of the community.
The Democratic Alliance is committed to taking proactive measures to address this crisis. We pledge to work tirelessly to ensure that employees promptly receive their overdue salaries. Additionally, we will engage with relevant authorities in the council to expedite payment arrangements and alleviate further financial hardships.
The municipality must fulfil its obligations to its employees and the community. We remain steadfast in our determination to find swift and effective solutions to this pressing issue.