VANDERBIJLPARK – Smoke billowed in the sky as dozens of tires were piled up and burnt outside Emfuleni Local Municipality headquarters over unpaid May salaries on Monday, May 29.

The protest comes after the cash-strapped municipality’s bank accounts were attached by Eskom and Rand Water due to its failure to pay the debt owed.

Thousands of employees came out in their numbers, singing and chanting inside the municipality offices in Vanderbijlpark in the presence of high police contingent before burning tires.

All roads leading to the municipality were closed with debris and rocks by protesting gatvol workers.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Thabiso Mokoena said they have been promised to be paid, however, no amounts have been transacted into their accounts since the 25^th.

“We are sick and tired of this back and forth between the municipality, Eskom, and Rand water. Each time they have problems, employees suffer the most. All we want is our money, not stories,” he said.

Another employee, who didn’t want to be named said they spent a black weekend because of non-payment of salaries.

“Our livelihoods are at risk. We own cars, houses, and other important things that need to be paid for each month. With the municipality not paying us, and not communicating when will we be paid really leaves us vulnerable. We came out in our numbers to show our outrage and want nothing, but our May Salaries,” she said.

South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) Sedibeng Regional Secretary Rhau Mphahlele said: “Workers will definitely be paid today (Monday, May 29, 2023). There was a delay on the side of Rainwater but the matter is sorted now”.

Despite several media inquiries sent to the municipality communications department on the matter, at the time of publishing this story, no comment or feedback was issued to Ster.