The municipal council of Zululand in South Africa has been accused of embezzling funds and failing to pay its workers their September salaries. The municipal council's failure to pay workers has sparked outrage, with the provincial government demanding answers. Municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal have been struggling with the issue of failing to pay workers on time.
The provincial minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has given the municipal council two days to provide an explanation for the non-payment of workers' salaries. Buthelezi has also instructed the head of the department, Sicelo Duma, to investigate the cause of the non-payment. The minister has expressed shock at the reports that workers had not received their September salaries.
The opposition party in the municipal council, the National Freedom Party (NFP), has challenged the municipal council to come clean about the allegations of corruption. The NFP's general secretary, Sunset Xaba, has alleged that the municipal council has exhausted its funds and is engaging in side activities. Xaba has vowed to fight for the workers to receive their salaries.
The municipal council's spokesperson, Zanele Mthethwa, did not respond to questions sent to her, and her phone calls went unanswered. The municipal council's failure to pay workers has been attributed to technical issues caused by a holiday on Thursday. However, as the weekend approached, workers had still not received their salaries.
Buthelezi has assured that action will be taken against those found to be responsible for the non-payment of workers' salaries. He has emphasized that the provincial government will not tolerate any municipal officials who disregard workers' rights. The minister has also instructed Duma to come up with a plan to ensure that workers receive their salaries within 48 hours.
The issue of municipalities failing to pay workers on time has become a recurring problem in KwaZulu-Natal. The municipality of Mpendle owes workers three months' salaries. The provincial government's intervention is aimed at resolving the issue and ensuring that workers receive their salaries.
The provincial government has vowed to take action to address the issue of municipalities failing to pay workers on time. The government has emphasized that it will not tolerate any form of corruption or maladministration in municipalities. Workers in Zululand have expressed frustration and disappointment at not receiving their salaries on time.
Key points
- The Zululand municipal council has been accused of embezzling funds and failing to pay workers their September salaries.
- The provincial government has given the municipal council two days to provide an explanation for the non-payment of workers' salaries.
- The issue of municipalities failing to pay workers on time has become a recurring problem in KwaZulu-Natal.
