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IOL News
28-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Municipal union wins case forcing !Kheis municipality to cough up salaries
The High Court in Kimberly has mandated the !Kheis municipality to pay overdue salaries following a legal challenge by the South African Municipal Workers Union Image: Independent Newspapers The municipality of !Kheis in the Northern Cape has been forced by the High Court in Kimberly to pay salaries after the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) took it, that province's Premier, and the National Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs to court. The ruling, handed down recently, ordered the municipality to 'immediately make payment of the salaries of the members of the applicant for the months of February 2025 and March 2025 and to continue making payment of the salaries of the members of the applicant as it falls due'. In the decision, the Judge stated that 'this unfortunate saga' involved a 'municipality that is, like so many others in our country, in financial distress'. !Kheis, a Khoikhoi name meaning 'a place where you live', is in Groblershoop in the Northern Cape Province and is home to just under 22 000 people as of the 2022 census. That province, the smallest province by population size with just 2.2% of all people in South Africa living there, has been under the Auditor-General's (A-G's) whip. The court bid, which was opposed by the MEC in the Northern Cape, stated that, in SAMWU's notice of filing it alleged that 'the Municipality was in serious and persistent material breach of its obligations to provide basic services and to meet its financial commitments as a result of a crisis in its financial affairs'. It also said that !Kheis was suffering a 'a crisis in its financial affairs'. SAMWU also wanted the Municipality placed under the government equivalent of business rescue, requesting that the Department 'implement a recovery plan aimed at securing the ability of the Municipality to meet its obligations to provide basic services'. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The A-G's the latest audit report on the Northern Cape with regards to the Public Finance Management Act found that there had been an improvement in audit outcomes, although it had made 'No progress' towards 'improving [the] reliability and usefulness of [its] annual performance report'. There was also 'no improvement in the quality of performance reports submitted for audit,' while there were also 'increased levels of unauthorised, irregular as well as fruitless and wasteful expenditure'. The report does not specifically mention the !Kheis municipality. Following the publication of the A-G's report, the Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul, welcomed the outcomes, stating that the 'audit results show a significant improvement in the province's audit opinions for various Government Departments and entities for the audit cycle'. He noted that the eight clean audits were 'the highest number recorded so far'. !Kheis was, in 2023, named and shamed by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana for failing to pay salaries for months. Last year, the A-G's office indicated that, based on its latest audit outcomes as of March, the Municipality had received disclaimed audits for the past five years – a concerning position. IOL
The Herald
27-05-2025
- The Herald
Union calls for forensic probe after nonpayment of municipal employees' May salaries
The South African Municipal Workers Union in the Mafika Mshengu region has called for a forensic investigation after workers at the iMpendle municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands were not paid their May salaries. 'The municipality has once again failed to honour this obligation, with employees not receiving their salaries for April and May respectively. Not only has the April salary been short-paid, but the municipality also failed to remit third-party payments — this despite such deductions having been made from employees' remuneration,' said regional secretary Nkosikhona Biyela. He described the move by the municipality as a serious breach of trust and fiduciary responsibility with severe and dire consequences for workers and their families. 'Our members, some of whom have been forced to use their last cash reserves to seek medical attention, are being subjected to undue financial and emotional hardship. This unacceptable situation is not merely an administrative lapse but rather it borders on criminality and must be treated with the seriousness it warrants,' said Biyela. He said they had also formally written to the municipality demanding accountability and clarity on whether consequence management would be instituted against those responsible for this gross negligence. 'It is deeply concerning that to date, no official has been subjected to disciplinary action for what is clearly a failure to perform fiduciary duties. This ongoing silence and inaction by the municipality is telling — it speaks to a culture of impunity and disdain for workers' rights,' said Biyela. 'Samwu will not fold its arms while the rights and dignity of our members are violated,' added Biyela. He said the union was calling on the KwaZulu-Natal, department of co-operative governance and traditional affairs and the department of employment and labour to urgently initiate a forensic investigation into the financial affairs and internal governance of the iMpendle municipality. 'This must include a thorough probe into the mismanagement of municipal funds, nonpayment of third-party obligations, and a determination of individual culpability.' He said the time of half measures and empty promises was now a thing of the past. 'The workers of iMpendle deserve better, they deserve justice, dignity and most importantly, their rightful earnings,' said Biyela. In a statement issued by the municipal manager, Zamani Tshabalala, the municipality acknowledges the concern regarding the delayed payment of May salaries. 'We want to assure employees that the municipality management is actively working to resolve the issue. We are taking immediate steps to address the issue, the root cause of the delay and to ensure that salaries are paid as soon as possible,' said Tshabalala. He said they were engaging the National Treasury and other necessary stakeholders to expedite the process. 'We urge our employees not to panic as we are committed to finding a solution. Our management team is working diligently to rectify the situation, and we will keep employees informed about any details.' He said the municipality appreciated the hard work and the dedication of employees and valued their contribution. 'We are committed to maintaining a positive and productive work environment, and we would do everything possible to resolve this issue promptly,' said Tshabalala. The EFF in the KwaZulu-Natal said it was deeply disturbed by the reckless financial mismanagement and the institutional collapse unfolding within the troubled iMpendle municipality. 'It's a matter of public concern that the CFO continues to irresponsibly authorise the hiring of private vehicles at an unjustifiable cost, despite the municipality's clear financial incapacity,' said EFF provincial chairperson Mongezi Twala. He said this was a result of the broader culture of entitlement, impunity and financial and financial recklessness which has crippled the municipality. Twala said this happens while residents of iMpendle continue to suffer from underdevelopment, poor service delivery and infrastructure decay while municipal officials enjoy luxury and protection as if they preside over a thriving metro. 'It's both absurd that the speaker of the small, dysfunctional municipality moves with bodyguards and an official municipal vehicle and treats the municipality like his personal fiefdom. This is while the basic community needs are unmet and workers are demoralised,' said Twala. He said the party was calling for a full forensic investigation into the wasteful expenditure, irregular procurement processes and abuse of municipal processes. The party had already written to the municipal manager to raise pressing issues. 'The EFF will follow up with urgency to ensure that no stone is left unturned. Those found guilty must face the full might of the law, and the recovery plan must be fully implemented to return governance to the people,' added Twala. He said this was an example of a 'deep rot' that has become a norm under the ANC leadership where incompetence is rewarded while accountability is absent. 'Political leadership has been reduced to ceremonial silence. The absence of oversight, transparency and ethical governance has turned municipal oversight like iMpendle into the graveyard of public hope.' TimesLIVE
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Metro wins in Labour Court over wage increase dispute
The metro has secured a legal victory in the Labour Court, effectively nullifying the enforcement of a 5.4% salary increase for municipal workers as stipulated in a collective agreement. Judge AJ Snyman delivered the judgment on May 10, siding with the municipality's assertion of financial incapacity to fulfil the wage hike obligations. The legal battle goes back to a 2021 dispute when the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) mandated a salary increment for that year. The metro, citing budgetary constraints, failed to implement the increase, leading to a compliance order and subsequent protests in 2023. These demonstrations, marked by disruptions in waste collection and municipal bus services, spanned three months and resulted in damage and vandalism to city infrastructure. In his ruling, the judge acknowledged the city's financial hardships, emphasising that the municipality's request for exemption from the collective agreement was justified, given its economic challenges. The court's decision effectively rejects the unions' demands for the wage increase, highlighting the importance of fiscal responsibility in municipal governance. DA Tshwane caucus leader, Cilliers Brink, welcomed the court's decision, saying that it allows the city to use funds towards stabilising finances and enhancing service delivery. 'The council's decision to apply for exemption was very difficult and was not made to spite or punish employees. The exemption application was essential to the financial rescue mission in Tshwane,' Brink remarked. He further noted that the R600-million saved has facilitated a debt settlement agreement with Eskom and will enable future investments in essential services. Grandi Theunissen, leader of the Freedom Front Plus in Tshwane, also expressed approval of the Labour Court's ruling. He criticised the SALGBC for unfairly dismissing the city's exemption applications and highlighted the VF Plus' commitment to responsible financial management during its tenure in the previous coalition government. 'The Labour Court also found that the SALGBC did not give the metro a fair opportunity to present its case and that the financial information was misinterpreted,' Theunissen said. However, the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) has expressed strong opposition to the Labour Court judgment. The union contends that the decision undermines collective bargaining, a fundamental right of workers. They argue that the court overstepped its authority by substituting the SALGBC6s decision with its own, thereby setting a dangerous precedent. The union also asserts that this move threatens the autonomy of bargaining councils and could embolden other municipalities to avoid honouring wage agreements by citing unverified financial distress. Nkhetheni Muthavhi, deputy general secretary of SAMWU, criticised the court for disregarding critical evidence presented during arbitration, including an independent financial expert's report confirming the metro's ability to afford the agreed-upon wage increases. 'The union would like to emphasise that the adverse impact of this judgment will have on workers, especially amid rising living costs,' said Muthavhi. He argued that the court decision prioritises the metro's fiscal arguments over the constitutional rights and well-being of the workers. In response, the union is at present exploring legal avenues, including appeals to the Labour Appeal Court or the Constitutional Court, to challenge what they perceive as judicial overreach and misapplication of affordability criteria. The union also condemned the metro management of the time for creating the financial crisis through mismanagement and pursuing a political agenda that attacks workers' rights. He also commented on the present coalition government. 'It is important to emphasise that the new administration inherited and regrettably, continued the DA's witch hunt against workers, prioritising the DA's inherent animosity towards workers and neglecting the needs and livelihoods of those who serve this city,' said Muthavhi. 'We will not allow workers to bear the brunt of mismanagement and judicial bias. This judgment represents a setback, but we remain resolute in our commitment to defending workers' rights.' The union said that it plans to brief shop stewards and convene mass meetings with members to provide updates and determine the way forward. 'The union urges all members to remain united and vigilant as they continue to fight for their rights through all available legal and collective channels,' said Muthavhi. The metro was approached for comment, but none had been received at the time of publication. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
'We cannot sit back': SAMWU fights to save jobs of striking Ekurhuleni officers
The South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) has declared it will not stand by as nearly 400 Ekurhuleni Metro Police officers face possible dismissal Image: Supplied The South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) has declared it will not stand by as nearly 400 Ekurhuleni Metro Police officers face possible dismissal for participating in an unprotected strike last month. The officers had joined a protest over ongoing labour grievances, which caused major traffic disruptions, stranded thousands of daily commuters, and blocked access to the critical OR Tambo International Airport. Following the protest, the City of Ekurhuleni announced it had 'commenced disciplinary measures against 389 Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers following their participation in an illegal strike and blockade of critical highways on 19 March 2025'. 'As EMPD officers, these individuals are classified under essential services, mandated to uphold public safety and order,' the city stated. 'Their participation in prohibited strike action constitutes gross misconduct, undermining public trust and violating labour laws as stipulated in the Labour Relations Act. All implicated officers have been issued pre-dismissal notices and are suspended from duty pending the outcome of their disciplinary hearings.' However, the move has sparked widespread concern among ordinary citizens and some government officials, who argue that the sudden dismissal of such a large number of officers could compromise public safety. SAMWU's regional chairperson, Chris Mavunda, condemned the potential dismissal of the EMPD members and insisted the union 'cannot sit back and do nothing'. 'The majority of those are members of SAMWU, and hence we said we cannot sit back, and do nothing — we have to stand up, protect jobs because what is important for us as municipal workers, is that we need to save the jobs of these members who were misled. "During our consultation, this has been confirmed by many of them that, actually, it was not their call, but they were misled,' Mavunda explained to the SABC. [email protected] IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The Citizen
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
City extends deadline for EMPD officers for disciplinary notices
The City of Ekurhuleni has extended the deadline for EMPD officers to respond to pre-dismissal notices related to the unlawful strike and highway blockades on March 19. This follows a high-level engagement held on May 6 between the city's leadership and representatives of the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU). Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, accompanied by MMC for Community Safety Alderman Sizakele Masuku and senior officials, met with SAMWU to address the union's concerns about the disciplinary process currently underway. Central to the discussions was the timeframe afforded to officers to submit their responses to the pre-dismissal letters. ALSO READ: 389 EMPD officers face disciplinary action for illegal protest SAMWU appealed for more time, highlighting the complexity and seriousness of the charges faced by affected officers. Acknowledging the union's request, the city agreed in principle to extend the deadline for written submissions until the close of business on May 9. The acting mayoral spokesperson, Ramatolo Tlotleng, said that the city remains resolute in upholding discipline, particularly among members of essential services. 'While we are committed to a fair and transparent process, we cannot overlook the gravity of the misconduct, which includes illegal highway blockades and the unauthorised use of municipal resources,' Tlotleng said. Ekurhuleni reaffirmed that each case will be considered on its merits, taking into account the level of misconduct and whether any expression of remorse has been shown. Tlotleng added that the pre-dismissal process is not a blanket approach. It allows every implicated officer the opportunity to present their case. He highlighted that fairness and due process are paramount. The city also issued a stern warning regarding intimidation tactics allegedly employed by certain officers to dissuade colleagues from reporting for duty. ALSO READ: Gauteng committee warns of fallout from EMPD suspensions 'Such behaviour is not only a breach of the municipal code of conduct, but also criminal. These incidents have been escalated to the National Commissioner of SAPS and the Hawks for urgent investigation,' Tlotleng said. Looking ahead, the Office of the Executive Mayor has committed to continued dialogue with organised labour through the Local Labour Forum. These talks aim to address ongoing workplace concerns, including those stemming from the recent institutional review, and to promote the well-being of municipal employees. The city reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on unlawful behaviour and reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding municipal employees, infrastructure, and the rights of law-abiding residents. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
