SAMWU DEMANDS! KHEIS MUNICIPALITY TO BE PLACED UNDER ADMINISTRATION FOR FAILURE TO PAY WORKERS’ SALARIES FOR TWO MONTHS.

22 February 2024

SAMWU DEMANDS! KHEIS MUNICIPALITY TO BE PLACED UNDER ADMINISTRATION FOR FAILURE TO PAY WORKERS’ SALARIES FOR TWO MONTHS.

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) expresses deep frustration over a recently issued circular by the! Kheis Local Municipality, located in the Northern Cape. The circular notifies workers that their salaries will once again be delayed. The municipality’s failure to meet its contractual obligations has subjected employees to unbearable economic conditions and hardships, with these workers last receiving their salaries in December 2023.

The non-payment of salaries has placed many workers in a precarious situation, facing harassment from creditors who demand adherence to credit agreements. Workers are at risk of having their vehicles and homes repossessed by creditors, exacerbating their financial distress.

Despite not receiving any salary payment this year, the municipality expects workers to continue providing services to the residents of !Kheis, even while facing the challenges of empty stomachs. Workers are being compelled to deliver services while their own children attend school hungry, and some are forced to endure long walks due to unpaid transportation.

The dire situation in !Kheis highlights the lack of effective intergovernmental relations in the province. The Provincial Government, constitutionally empowered to oversee municipal functioning, has seemingly stood idle while workers endure economic hardships, poverty, hunger, and starvation. The functionality and service delivery capacity of !Kheis are now jeopardised as hungry workers struggle to provide essential services. SAMWU is also alarmed by the governance issues within the municipality, noting frequent changes in Municipal Managers without corresponding improvements in service delivery.

In response to these challenges, SAMWU urgently calls for the immediate payment of workers’ salaries at the! Kheis Local Municipality. Additionally, the union demands intervention by the Northern Cape Provincial Government, exercising its constitutional authority to place the municipality under administration. SAMWU emphasises that the Provincial Government cannot permit this situation to persist any longer.

Issued by SAMWU Northern Cape
Lawrence Fennie,
Provincial Secretary,
(071 889 2023)

Or

Papikie Mohale,
National Media Officer,
(076 795 8670)