Disgruntled workers at the collapsed Kopanong Local Municipality in the Xhariep district have downed tools over unpaid salaries for the months April and May. The workers began protesting over unpaid salaries yesterday – Thursday, 9 May – with scores toyi-toying at the municipality’s head office in Trompsburg.
Frustrated and hungry, the workers are lamenting the pain of enduring a months-late payment or no payment of salaries, and the hardship they are they subjected to along with their families.
The authority of the municipality informed employees on Wednesday, 8 May, through a letter from Juda Mokoena, acting chief financial officer (CFO), that salaries for April and May will only be paid on 8 July. He indicated that salaries will be paid after the municipality had received its equitable share.
“The municipality is still facing challenges with its First National Back (FNB) account, which is attached with funds intended for operations. The municipality is working on resolving the situation,” he stated.
The angry workers bitterly lament the negative impact of the embattled, ANC-led municipality’s continued failure to pay third-party benefits, pension funds, and medical aid schemes including essentials such as funeral policies. They blame the municipality for the lapse of their third-party benefits and policies. The workers say though the authorities deduct third-party benefits, they never pay funds to the relevant schemes.
Late payment by the municipality spans for several years without a permanent solution being found, despite several complaints by the workers. The municipality governs the towns Bethulie, Edenburg, Fauresmith, Gariep Dam, Jagersfontein, Philippolis, Reddersburg, Springfontein, Trompsburg, and Waterkloof.
