City of Mbombela (CoM) employees downed tools on Monday over deadlocked negotiations regarding backdated salary notch adjustments dating to 2018.

Workers claim negotiations with the municipality have reached a deadlock, with no agreement on outstanding payments.

According to South African Municipal Workers’ Union shop steward Vusi Dube, the protest followed a meeting between workers, the municipal manager, the general manager of finance and other stakeholders to seek answers on the salary notch dispute.

“We had a meeting with our employer, and they promised that we would meet today to receive feedback,” said Dube. “Instead of meeting with us, we were served with a court interdict threatening us with dismissal.”

He said workers were also disappointed that no municipal or political representative was available to address them when they arrived.

Dube claimed some employees received calls warning them that they could face dismissal if they participated in the protest.

Protesting workers gather outside ANC offices as MEC steps in

The workers subsequently gathered outside the ANC offices in Mbombela, saying this was where Mayor Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko was politically deployed.

Dube said workers would continue pushing for the matter to be resolved.

“There is nothing that will stop us from pursuing what we want,” he said. “In all the meetings we have held with the employer, they have not given us anything tangible that can prevent these payments.”

Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs MEC Speed ‘Speedy Katisho’ Mashilo, who is also ANC deputy provincial chairperson in Mpumalanga, addressed the workers.

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Mashilo promised to convene a meeting involving Mayor Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko and other relevant stakeholders to resolve the dispute.

“I can guarantee you that all the municipal stakeholders responsible for this matter will form part of that meeting,” said Mashilo. “We will have to take the correct decision that satisfies both parties. If money is owed to the workers by the municipality, they will have to be paid in the correct manner.”

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He added that the mayor had informed him that she was unaware of the protest and had only been told that she would meet the union tomorrow.

Municipality warns against illegal work disruptions

Meanwhile, CoM spokesperson Joseph Ngala said the office of municipal manager Wiseman Khumalo had noted with concern sporadic service disruptions by employees demanding R150 000 per worker for notch adjustments.

Ngala said the municipality recognised employees’ rights to raise grievances and participate in lawful trade union activities.

“The municipal manager remains open to engagements with stakeholders through established channels and procedures,” said Ngala. “All employees are encouraged to follow proper procedures in dispute resolution processes.”

He warned employees against participating in illegal gatherings and work disruptions, saying the municipality would take steps to protect employees, the public, municipal assets and the continuity of services.