- Matjhabeng is non-compliant
- R59 281 238 is owed to the Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA)
- “Not only is the sheer amount in arrears frightening, but essentially, the municipality is not adhering to the Rule of Law”
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There is a grave concern that R59 281 238 is owed to the Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) by the Matjhabeng municipality.
After a Section 80 Corporate Services meeting took place on Tuesday, 3 October, the requested recommendation was that this item serve on the Mayoral Committee (Mayco) for approval.
Abby Schoeman of the DA in Matjhabeng, says the lack of urgency on the matter was startling.
“The municipality was compliant with the submission of return of earnings until 2022. However, Matjhabeng has been non-compliant with its payment obligations since 2004. According to the COIDA, Matjhabeng is obligated to submit all statements of earnings to the fund for a complete assessment and immediate settlement of all outstanding debt.
“As a result of non-payment, Matjhabeng is unable to produce a letter of good standing. Failure to produce a letter of good standing has several devastating effects on the employees. Employees will not be afforded the opportunity of receiving healthcare when injured, contracting disease, or even at the death of such employee,” says Schoeman.
A letter of good standing is a primary requirement for admission to a healthcare provider for injuries and diseases contracted during the course and scope of employment.
She says further disadvantages to the municipality include loss of work time, labour disputes, and increased possibility of civil disputes.
“This can ultimately negate the quality of service delivery as the administration becomes entangled in labour and legal disputes with employees instead of serving the community as it should.
Not only is the sheer amount in arrears frightening, but essentially, the municipality is not adhering to the Rule of Law.”
The DA has demanded a full report regarding the amount in arrears.
“We wish to establish what portion of the amount is due to penalties, how many employees have been negatively affected due to non-payment, and why this has not been a priority for the municipality for almost two decades.”
