The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Free State condemns in the strongest possible terms, the non-payment of salaries at Mafube Municipality. The municipality has defaulted on salaries for two consecutive months.
COSATU General Secretary Solly Phetoe, COSATU Provincial Office Bearers and SAMWU Provincial Leaders protested in solidarity with the municipal workers to raise amongst others, the following issues:
1. Employee remuneration must be paid on the scheduled pay day which is the 25th of every month. Money due to third parties must be made within 7 days after the 25th of every month. Employee related costs must be number one in the employer payment schedule without compromise. All arrears in connection with employee third parties must be settled before the end of 2023/24 financial year, 50% of the payments should be made within 6 months of the 2023/24 financial year. Failure to comply with the demand will result in a total shutdown of the municipality. The municipality should take all the responsibility on effects of non-payment of salaries, (loss of assets, Bank charges, etc.)
2. Section 56 posts have been vacant for more than 2 years with the Municipal manager post being vacant for over 7 months. There are employees who have acted for more than 6 months up to 5 years on the same positions which is against the law. All section 56/57 manager posts must be filled within 3 months to ensure stability and accountability. All employees who have acted for more than 6 months, must be confirmed on those positions within 3 months. All temporary employees must be immediately permanently appointed.
3. Most municipal vehicles and plant have exceeded their economic life span. All municipal offices are of sub-standard quality. Workers are expected to perform their duties without proper PPE by management and they are threatened if the raise concerns. No employee will use municipal assets if they (assets) put the employee lives in danger as required by the Act.
4. The Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 states in Section 62 (1)(a) that the accounting officer of a municipality is responsible for managing the financial administration of the municipality and must for this purpose take all reasonable steps to ensure that the resources of the municipality are used effectively, efficiently and economically. None ‘implementation of the Financial Recovery Plan of 2020/2021 financial year. The municipality must fully Implement of the Financial Recovery Plan.
5. Electricity is an important funding source for local government, particularly for larger urban municipalities. The council took its mandate and gave it to rural maintenance, with that action, the municipality’s finances have since decreased to a point of no sustainability because the municipality does not benefit financially from that contract or arrangements. We demand that this unconstitutional contract be terminated and council to take its mandate back its constitutional mandate and start benefiting financially from its mandate.
The struggle continues!
Issued by COSATU Free State
For more information, please contact:
Monyatso oa Mahlatsi, (Free State Provincial Secretary)
Tel: 051 447 5499
Cell: 076 115 9923