Some hope has been given to Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) residents after today’s follow-up meeting with the office of KZN Cogta MEC, Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi.

In a presentation at the council chambers in Port Shepstone earlier today, the MEC’s advisor Lionel Pienaar, said that it is hoped that in a day or two workers should resume work.

Earlier this month, Buthelezi addressed a stakeholders’ meeting, where he told RNM and the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) to come up with a solution or plan to suit both parties.

Pienaar said that on January 29, Cogta received progress reports from RNM and SAMWU.

He said both parties have reached an agreement in principle.

“Some formalities must be concluded, such as the preparation for both parties’ signatures, and we expect that the employees of RNM should resume normal duties within the next day or two.”

The proposal by the employer (RNM) is: Workers will be moved to grade 5 and receive four months out of the six months compensation. The payment plan includes two months being paid in February 2025, one month to be paid in the December 2025 salary run, and the last month to be paid in the March 2026 salary sun.

SAMWU’s progress report states that the issue of the suspensions will be left to the MEC’s office to advise.

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