SAMWU Demands National Government Intervention in uThukela District Municipality Crisis
11 March 2025
SAMWU Demands National Government Intervention in uThukela District Municipality Crisis
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in the Prof Sibankulu Region (Midlands) is calling for the national government to urgently intervene in the uThukela District Municipality by invoking Section 139(7) of the Constitution. The municipality, which has been under provincial administration in terms of Section 139(1)(b) since 2018, remains in a state of complete collapse. Despite six years of provincial intervention, there has been no improvement in the municipality’s financial management, service delivery, or administrative functions. The provincial government has failed to stabilise the municipality, while workers and residents are paying the price for this inaction. SAMWU believes that only the national government can now salvage the situation and restore dignity to the workers and residents of uThukela.
The uThukela District Municipality is a glaring example of provincial government failure. Since 2018, the municipality has been under administration in terms of Section 139(1)(b), accompanied by 6 administrators appointed by the provincial government. Yet the situation has only worsened. The provincial government has shown a lack of political will and capacity to address the deep-rooted issues plaguing the municipality.
The provincial government’s inability to address these issues demonstrates a clear dereliction of duty. Workers and residents are not being taken seriously, and their pleas for help have fallen on deaf ears. The provincial administration has allowed the municipality to descend into chaos, with no consequences for those responsible for the mismanagement and corruption. It is now time for the national government to step in and take decisive action to prevent further collapse.
The financial mismanagement at uThukela District Municipality is staggering. The 2023/2024 Auditor-General’s report reveals a pattern of irregular, unauthorised, and wasteful expenditure, with millions of rands being misused or misallocated. Contracts have been awarded without proper procurement processes, and there is evidence of political interference in administrative matters. The municipality’s failure to implement consequence management for senior officials implicated in these irregularities has allowed corruption to flourish unchecked.
Workers are bearing the brunt of this mismanagement. The salary bill shortfall now exceeds R9.3 million, and employees are being forced to work without pay. This is a direct violation of the Labour Relations Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. Instead of addressing these issues, the municipality’s management has resorted to victimising SAMWU members who have raised legitimate concerns. Workers who have spoken out against the mismanagement have been suspended or targeted, creating a climate of fear and intimidation. This punitive approach undermines collective bargaining and violates workers’ rights to fair treatment and representation.
The collapse of the municipality has had a devastating impact on service delivery. Residents are without essential services, and public trust in the municipality has been completely eroded. The misuse of conditional grants, which are intended for specific projects, has further exacerbated the crisis. These funds have been diverted for other purposes, leaving critical projects unfinished and residents without access to basic services such as water, sanitation, and electricity.
The provincial government’s failure to address these issues has shown a blatant disregard for the well-being of residents. The people of uThukela deserve a functional and transparent municipality that serves their needs, but the provincial administration has allowed the situation to deteriorate to the point of no return.
Given the provincial government’s failure to stabilise the municipality under Section 139(1)(b), SAMWU is calling on the national government to intervene by invoking Section 139(7) of the Constitution. This would allow for a more robust and effective intervention to address the systemic issues plaguing the municipality. The national government must take over the administration of uThukela District Municipality to ensure that:
Workers are paid their overdue salaries and benefits, and their rights are protected.
Service delivery is restored, and residents have access to essential services.
A forensic audit is conducted to uncover the full extent of the financial irregularities and hold those responsible accountable.
Consequence management is implemented to ensure that officials implicated in corruption and mismanagement face the full might of the law.
SAMWU also demands the immediate removal of the Municipal Manager, who has demonstrated a complete inability to manage the institution effectively. The Union will be mobilising workers, ratepayers, business leaders, community organisations, and other stakeholders to support its campaign for accountability and good governance at uThukela District Municipality.
The provincial government has had six years to stabilise uThukela District Municipality, but it has failed miserably. Workers and residents are suffering, and the municipality is on the brink of total collapse. SAMWU believes that only the national government can now salvage the situation and restore dignity to the people of uThukela.
We therefore call on the national government to act swiftly and decisively to address this crisis and ensure that the municipality is restored to a functional and transparent institution that serves the needs of its workers and residents.
Issued by SAMWU Prof Sibankulu Region (Midlands)
Jabu Mokoena
Regional Secretary,
071 338 7460
Or
Ndumiso Simelane,
uThukela Local Secretary,
060 351 6127