MM blamed for havoc in RNM
SAMWU's shop steward, Kerchia Balkaran said according to the order the workers were supposed to get an adjusted increase in October which did not happen.
The amalgamation of the former Izinqoleni and Hibiscus Coast municipalities seems to be the root cause of the issues currently faced by Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM).
In 2016, the two local municipalities became RNM, which was later moved to grade 5.
In 2021, heads of departments and the then municipal manager’s salaries were adjusted to grade 5.
In 2023, ward councillors received salary adjustments and a backpay of 18 months under the new grading.
However, managers, officials and general workers remained on grade 4.
As a result of not being upgraded and the subsequent non-payment, the disgruntled employees embarked on a strike in October 2024, which has continued until now, with municipal services at a standstill.
Due to the prolonged strike, an urgent stakeholders’ meeting with the MEC of KZN Cogta, Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi, was held at council chambers in Port Shepstone last Friday.
According to the South African Municipal Workers Union’s (SAMWU) full-time shop steward in RNM, Kerchia Balkaran, in 2024, the union approached the Bargaining Council, which led to it being awarded an order in its favour.
Balkaran said the order meant that the workers were supposed to get an adjusted increase in October; however, it did not happen.
On October 25, RNM workers marched to the council offices to enquire about their salary adjustments that were not met.
To date, neither party has reached an agreement, which in turn has affected residents, as no municipal services are being provided.
“The municipal manager, Khetha Zulu, only started talking to us on October 22, three days before payday. At the time, he told us that he was reviewing the order and that the municipality did not have that amount of money for the 1085 employees.”
She said that they asked to negotiate to reach an agreement, but they were unable to do so.
Furthermore, it is believed that RNM has spent at least R500 000 on legal fees for the review of the order and a case that the municipality lost, trying to stop the workers from protesting.
This has raised the question as to why so much of the municipal funds has been spent on legal matters instead of being used to pay the workers.
Furthermore, claims that Zulu was making decisions on his own and going above council resolutions were made at the meeting.
Some speakers, including Buthelezi, implied that Zulu had made decisions that led to the current crisis when he could have found a solution earlier on.
The KZN chairperson of the Independent Municipal & Allied Trade Union, Skhumbuzo Ngwane, said he was expecting to receive direction into solving this problem.
“Only one councillor spoke about the core of the problem. We are here because of the attitude of the employer.”
Ngwane said that since the review case is now in the Labour Court, it can take at least five years for it to be resolved unless an urgent application was made.
“It’s the attitude of the employer because they know that they are using our money to fight frivolous cases by using their positions and power. This is going to cost the municipality; they will be spending on legal fees by using ratepayers’ money, and they (ratepayers) will not be getting the service that they deserve.”
Ngwane urged Buthelezi to intervene.
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