DA slams Govan Mbeki Municipality over R9.6m labour dispute bill
Party claims the cost breakdown of 13 suspended employees to the municipality is almost R1.34m spent on labour matters, almost R4.3m spent on legal costs and almost R4.1m paid in salaries to suspended employees.
The DA in the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) called on the municipality’s administration to urgently fast-track labour dispute processes after millions of rand have been spent on prolonged suspensions of officials.
According to DA Clr Hloni Madumise, the party recently questioned Mayor Nhlakanipho Zuma about the number of suspended GMM officials and the costs incurred so far. The GMM confirmed that 13 employees are currently suspended.
Madumise said the financial breakdown is alarming.
“The cost breakdown of these suspended employees to the municipality is almost R1.34m spent on labour matters, almost R4.3m spent on legal costs and almost R4.1m paid in salaries to suspended employees. In total, the municipality has spent R9.6m on these prolonged labour disputes,” said Madumise.
He warned that the figure was likely to increase once outstanding legal invoices are settled.
Madumise added that some of the suspended officials occupy senior positions, forcing the GMM to appoint acting personnel entitled to acting allowances and benefits.
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“As a result, the R9.6m figure is not completely accurate. It is unacceptable that the municipality is unbothered while these cases have been ongoing for more than two years.
“During this period, these implicated officials keep getting their full salaries, which signals weak consequence management and an abuse of taxpayers’ money,” he said.
The DA argues that residents of the GMM continue to face water outages, potholes and deteriorating infrastructure while millions are directed to unresolved labour matters.
Madumise urged municipal manager Elliot Maseko to collaborate with the legal division and develop a plan to finalise the disputes within reasonable timeframes.
“Daily, residents are confronted with service delivery challenges, yet the municipality keeps communicating that projects are hindered by delays and financial constraints. It cannot be business as usual while taxpayers’ money goes to waste,” he said.
The DA called for urgent accountability and prioritisation of residents’ needs.
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