Gauteng municipal workers protest over unpaid May salaries

Gauteng municipal workers protested outside the Emfuleni Local Municipality headquarters in Sedibeng, setting dozens of tyres on fire in frustration over unpaid May salaries. The municipality, facing financial difficulties, had its bank accounts attached by Eskom and Rand Water due to outstanding debts. With smoke billowing in the sky, thousands of employees gathered at the municipal offices in Vanderbijlpark, singing and chanting. At the same time, a significant police presence monitored the situation. The police closed the roads as protesting workers blocked access with debris and rocks.

In an interview with Sedibeng Ster, Thabiso Mokoena expressed the employees’ frustrations, noting that there had been promises regarding payment. However, no one has received transfers to their accounts since the 25th of the month. Mokoena emphasised their weariness with the ongoing disputes between the municipality, Eskom, and Rand Water, stating that employees suffered the most. The primary demand of the protesting workers was the immediate payment of their May salaries without further delays or excuses.

Also read: Union threatens consequences over healthcare demands

Another employee, who wished to remain anonymous, shared the hardships they faced due to the non-payment of salaries, including spending a weekend in darkness. They highlighted the financial vulnerabilities caused by the municipality’s failure to communicate payment dates or clarify the situation. The employees joined the protest in large numbers to express their outrage and to demand the prompt disbursement of their salaries.

Rhau Mphahlele, the Sedibeng Regional Secretary of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), assured the workers that they would receive their payments on Monday, acknowledging a delay caused by Rand Water but assuring that the matter had been resolved.

Despite multiple inquiries from various media outlets, the municipality’s communications department had not commented on the situation at the time of publishing.

Source: Gauteng municipal workers protest over unpaid salaries

Also read:

Mayor Cilliers Brink’s Efforts to Revive Tshwane Metro’s Finances Face Union Opposition

Picture: Twitter / JimtaSifiso

Follow us on Google News.