Mopani District Municipality workers struggling

It is hard times for Mopani District Municipality staff as they had not received their January salaries.

They were supposed to have been paid by Friday.

According to municipality’s spokesperson, Tumelo Malaka the salaries were not paid due to factors that are beyond the control of the municipality. He said the municipality, just like other municipalities in the country, expected the transfer of equitable shares from National Treasury late November, but only a portion for December expenses was transferred.

Malaka added that the municipality had engaged with National Treasury with regard to the transfer of January portion. ‘

It was expected that by mid-January such transfers would be affected,’ he said.

He further stated that the delay was caused by National Treasury officials who were on leave. Worried employees said they are unhappy because they are unable to pay for their children’s school fees and buy basic needs like food.

Some said their debit orders did not go through and they are afraid it will affect their credit record.

Meanwhile Malaka was quoted as saying the institution believed in Batho Pele principles and it was not intentional.

‘We would ensure that we follow all the correct procedures to deal with the situation, as require by the laws governing the municipalities,’ he said.

By the time of going to press the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) was still locked up in a meeting to decide what action to take.