Lungani Zungu
The crisis-riddled uMkhanyakude District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal has failed to pay the salaries of more than 350 of its workers.
This has plunged many workers of the northern KZN municipality on the brink of having their cars and houses repossessed.
Others have had to borrow money from their relatives and peers to make ends meet.
“This is an injustice to all the people who have not been paid. We have worked for the entire month, but we are not paid,” said a worker who did not like to be named.
The workers were supposed to be paid on 25 August.
Another worker said: “No one told us that we’ll not get paid. I don’t know where I would get the money to pay for my car and house.
“We plead with the provincial government to intervene and help us get our hard-earned money.”
The municipality had failed to approve its 2022/23 budget and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) budget owing to the clashes between the IFP and the ANC councillors in the municipality.
This has led to services like the provision of water and electricity being in disarray in areas like Hluhluwe and Mtubatuba.
The IFP blamed the ANC for the woes that plagued the municipality, which had led to it being placed under administration.
“We, therefore, call on the newly appointed Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, to urgently intervene and resolve uMkhanyakude’s problems,” said Sihle Ndlovu, IFP uMkhanyakude caucus chair and whip.
Angry community members recently staged a sit-in at uMkhanyakude municipality demanding the approval of the budget.
On Wednesday, another protest will be held outside the building of the troubled municipality by community members.
Municipal spokesperson Mdu Dlamini said the delay in salary payment was because administrator Bamba Ndwandwe had to scrutinise all payments to staff.
“The delay is regrettable but this is not unique to our municipality,” said Dlamini.
