ELM spends over R20 million on suspended employees
"It is difficult to respond to general allegations which are not specific and have no evidence."
SEDIBENG. – The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has spent over R20 million on 19 public officials suspended and sitting at home, despite residents’ lack of basic services, including clean and safe drinking water.
This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mzi Khumalo, in a written reply to the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).
MEC Khumalo disclosed that an employee suspended for 4 years, and 8 months has been paid R3 494 120, while another employee has earned R2 272 283.71 sitting at home for the same duration.
The Democratic Alliance’s (DA), Kingsol Chabalala, Emfuleni North Constituency Head said that this disclosure effectively reveals the shortcomings of the disciplinary management systems in Ethe ELM.
“While the labour laws guarantee fair disciplinary hearings, the inability to resolve the 19 cases dating back to 2019 is unacceptable and demonstrates an incapable system that needs reform. Prolonged suspensions hinder the provision of service delivery as the municipality must take on the added responsibilities of a suspended employee. Moreover, the money spent paying suspended officials could be directed towards employees actively contributing to ensuring that the struggling municipality delivers services promptly and effectively,” Chabalala said.
The DA demands that MEC Khumalo take immediate action and ensure that the ELM, which is under the leadership of Mayor Sipho Radebe investigates and resolves the pending cases, as it is wasting the ratepayers’ money.
The EFF in Sedibeng added their voice and said, “The EFF in Sedibeng is deeply concerned that these individuals are only showing up to collect their salaries at the end of each month, essentially profiting from the hard-earned money of taxpayers.
Upon inquiry about the allegations ELM spokesperson, Makhosonke Sangweni said that it is difficult to respond to general allegations which are not specific and have no evidence.
“We have no knowledge of such a situation unless we are given proper information to respond to. I will have to enquire with Labour Relations for facts. I’m not privy to this information neither are they, we will make official comments once we have comprehensive facts.”
