MARLOTH PARK – This comes after the workers went on a go-slow over wage issues last Friday.

They are demanding equal wage from the Nkomazi Local Municipality (NLM). This issue arose when the workers saw one of their colleague’s linked payslips.

One of the rangers, Albert Hleta, said, “I am not happy with the treatment we are receiving. We do the same work, but do not get the same salary. I have been working as a ranger for 27 years now.” Last year, Phathumuzi Makwakwa, the son of Marloth Park manager, Veli Makwakwa, was hired as a ranger, but earns more than the same-level rangers who have more experience. “We accidentally saw Phathumuzi’s payslip during a function last October as he was drunk.” Hleta said.

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“We contacted the South African Municipality Workers Union to resolve this matter, and they promised to fix it, but still no change.” The rangers state that they have a manager who never fulfils his duties or monitors his staff.

According to Hleta, he has been working in Marloth Park for 27 years, but claims to never have seen Veli. NML’s spokesperson, Cyril Ripinga, said,

“The issue is that the people who are protesting were appointed as rangers and Phathumuzi has been appointed as a senior one. There is no way that they can earn the same salary as him.”