SAMWU MAFIKA MSHENGU REGION CONDEMNS THE NON-PAYMENT OF SALARIES AT IMPENDLE MUNICIPALITY – CALLS FOR FORENSIC INVESTIGATION AND CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 24 May 2025
SAMWU MAFIKA MSHENGU REGION CONDEMNS THE NON-PAYMENT OF SALARIES AT IMPENDLE MUNICIPALITY – CALLS FOR FORENSIC INVESTIGATION AND CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in the Mafika Mshengu Region registers its profound dismay and unequivocal condemnation of the iMpendle Municipality for its persistent failure to meet its most basic obligation to employees: the timely and full payment of salaries.
The Municipality has once again failed to honour this obligation, with employees not receiving their salaries for April 2025 and May 2025 respectively. Not only has the April 2025 salary been short-paid, but the Municipality also failed to remit third-party payments—this despite such deductions having been made from employees’ remuneration.
This amounts to a serious breach of trust and fiduciary responsibility, with real 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—it borders on criminality and must be treated with the seriousness it warrants.
SAMWU has formally written to the Municipality demanding accountability and clarity on whether consequence management will 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.
Let it be categorically stated: SAMWU will not fold its arms while the rights and dignity of our members are violated. This matter has now escalated beyond the confines of local government and warrants urgent intervention.
In light of the recurring nature of these salary-related transgressions, SAMWU calls on the KwaZulu-Natal, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) 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, non-payment of third-party obligations, and a determination of individual culpability.
The time for half-measures and empty assurances is over. The workers of iMpendle Municipality deserve better—they deserve justice, dignity, and most importantly, their rightful earnings.
Issued by:
Cde Nkosikhona Biyela
Regional Secretary
South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU)
Mafika Mshengu Region
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