SAMWU CALLS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF IMPENDLE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

27 JANUARY 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAMWU CALLS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF IMPENDLE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

South African Municipal Workers’ Union in KwaZulu-Natal is calling the MEC for Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mr Thulasizwe Buthelezi to revoke Section 139(1)(a)(b)(c) to put the Impendle Local Municipality under administration.

The municipality is yet to pay workers January salaries. This is a direct violation of Conditions of Services. This inconsiderate and inhumane trait by the municipality started in April 2025. Workers’ contracts stipulates that they shall be paid on the 24th of every month. In the event of the 24th of every month falling into weekend, workers shall be paid on Friday prior to the 24th of the month. The municipal leadership have taken it upon themselves to alter payments date, citing financial constraints. They have been providing workers with all sorts of excuses, that does not address the problem of late payments.

In this troubled municipality, late payments of salaries are not the only issue of great concern. They are also not making third-party payments on behalf of workers. This means that they are not paying SARS, Medical Aid schemes, Pension Funds, UIF, and personal policies such as funeral covers and investments. This has badly affected credit profile of workers, collapsed workers policies, suspension of medical aids, workers owing SARS, and severe debt at personal level. These acts of late salary payments and non-payment of third parties are detrimental to the well-being of workers.

It is against this background that SAMWU is calling for an immediate resignation of the Municipal Manager, and for the Municipality to be put under administration.

We have escalated the matter through proper bargaining channels to ensure that we seek reimbursement of workers’ compensation for all the losses incurred as a result of late salary payments and non-payment of third parties. As SAMWU we are also gearing up for industrial action in the municipality in the event COGTA fails to act.

Issued by SAMWU KZN
Nokubonga Dinga
SAMWU KZN Provincial Secretary,
Cell no: 065 871 8434

Or

Zethu Fakude
SAMWU KZN Deputy Provincial Secretary
Cell no: 063 509 2924