This amount to more than half of the R16.42 million that was budgeted for overtime payments in the 2022-2023 financial year.
André Moss, proportional councilor at the GTM and representative from the VF-Plus calls the overtime payments an unacceptable waste of money.

“The VF-Plus strongly opposed the overspending on overtime at a meeting of the joint budget and infrastructure portfolio committee,” Moss stated. The meeting took place on November 3.
According to Moss the highest overtime expenses are paid out in the financial, corporate services, community services, and electrical engineering departments.

Also read: Limpopo Council pays R211m for overtime

“Certain employees claimed up to 170 hours overtime in one month which contravenes the Basic Conditions of Employment Act that prescribes that employees do not work more than 40 hours overtime per month,” Moss explains.
Neville Ndlala, communications manager at GTM told the Herald that they are trying to cut the overspending but that due to the nature of the work done, some repairs have to be done after hours.

Ndlala confirmed that the GTM recently appointed a company responsible for installing tracking devices in GTM vehicles. He also said that the GTM is currently advertising for the services of a clocking system company that will hopefully curb overspending on overtime.
According to Ndlala the issue is getting special attention from management, and he says overtime has to be pre-approved and that only overtime that is client and service delivery related will be approved.