By Dylan Bettencourt
- Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says the party is broke because of funding laws and claims junior staff were already paid.
- Workers say they cannot access medical aid or pay debts because the party has not paid contributions for several months.
While ANC leaders arrived in luxury convoys at the Birchwood Hotel on Monday, their own staff stood at the gates begging to be paid.
“Here are the millions,” one worker shouted as the expensive cars drove past.
Reports by News24 and the Sunday Times show the party cannot pay its own bills.
Staff members protested to demand salaries dating back to 2023. They say they are hungry and desperate.
“People need to buy food for their kids for December,” Nombuso Mbatha from Nehawu told News24.
She says families are terrified about January school fees.
The situation is so bad that medical aid has been suspended. Dan Semenya says staff go to the doctor only to be turned away because the party stopped paying contributions.
“The employer is not paying,” he said.
Inside the hotel, Secretary General Fikile Mbalula tried to explain the mess. He told the media the party struggles to raise the R20-million needed for monthly salaries.
He blames the Political Parties Funding Act for scaring away donors.
Mbalula claims junior staff have now been paid. He says he is also waiting for his November salary.
“The component of staff not paid is management, starting with me,” he said.
But senior ANC member Supra Mahumapelo admitted the sight of unpaid workers was “painful” as he shook their hands outside the venue.
Pictured above: ANC members at the NGC on Monday.
Image source: @MYANC
