Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr David Ross and Sesotho by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
A special Council Meeting in Nala was convened on 5 July 2024 by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to address excessive employee-related migration costs and the resulting unprotected strike action by municipal employees.
The meeting revealed serious negative financial implications from the previous administration’s approval of a new organisational structure on 31 July 2020. The acting former Municipal Manager issued appointment letters to qualified employees, effective 1 December 2021.
The council was shocked to note that migration process costs amounted to R8,402,129.00. In August 2023, R2,902,359 was paid, and R5.4 million is still due to employees.
During the 2022-23 audit process, the AGSA raised concerns about unlawful procedures, noting:
- The decision on staff migration and salary benchmarking was made without the Council’s approval.
- The delegation of authority for approving staff migration and salary benchmarking did not meet the legislative requirements of the MFMA, MSA, and Collective Bargaining Council stipulations.
At the special Council meeting, it was resolved:
- To call for the speedy resolution of the migration crisis, as workers in Bothaville and Wesselsbron have embarked on an unprotected strike, demanding their outstanding migration costs.
- To assess the mayhem caused by the illegal strike and enforce consequence management.
- To support the interdict obtained by the MM to end the unprotected strike and speed up the delivery of basic services to the community.
- To evaluate and investigate the migration process and costs by a joint sitting of the Finance and Corporate Committees, as the financial viability and good governance of the municipality are at stake.
- To note the challenge by the current administration against the adverse findings of the AGSA NALA MIGRATION REPORT and require an urgent update on the outcome to consider the consequences of actions taken by the previous administration.
- To ensure that following the outcome of the review by the AGSA, the Municipality’s Audit Action Plan addresses the findings and the irregular expenditure.
The DA will enforce consequence management to address administrative inaccuracies and maladministration at the Nala Municipality, aiming to curb unrealistic employment-related and migration costs. This will ensure financial stability and improve service delivery to the community.