The despondent workers of the Kopanong Local Municipality in the Xhariep region seem likely to queue for food hampers for survival. This is after the authority of the kaput municipality extended the date of outstanding salaries until July, citing unresolved cash flow problems.
The municipality owes the workers two months’ salary in addition to the settlement of debt of third-party benefits.
Amid this, on Wednesday, 8 May, the municipality through a letter from Juda Mokoena, acting chief financial officer (CFO), informed the workers that salaries for April and May would only be paid on 8 July. He indicated that salaries would be paid after the municipality had received its equitable share. The municipality remained silent regarding the salary for June.
Disgruntled workers downed tools on Thursday, 9 May, over unpaid salaries for April and May. Others were seen toyi-toying at the municipality’s head office in Trompsburg.
“We are expected to continue working with empty stomach. Our families live in poverty, yet we are employed by a sphere of a government claiming it is committed to improving the people’s lives. We are regressing under this municipality,” said a distressed worker speaking on condition of anonymity, citing fear of intimidation as the reason for this.
Disgruntled workers lament the negative impact of management resulting in the lapse of employees’ third-party benefits, medical aid scheme, funeral policies and life cover. Affairs have worsened since the pension fund attached the municipality’s bank account last year, owing more than R60 million in unpaid premiums and interest.
