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The Citizen reports that the troubled Mangaung Metro has approved mouth-watering salaries for 94 political staff, much to the disdain of opposition parties.
At least 70 people are earmarked for the offices of Mayor Gregory Nthatisi, the deputy mayor who has yet to be elected, speaker Maryke Davies and council whip Nikelo Vumile, at a cost of R37.9 million. An additional 24 staffers have been added to the list – a deviation that has to be approved by Cogta MEC Moses Makume, and will cost at least R16 million. These include chiefs of staff, personal assistants, tea ladies and cleaners, private secretaries, protocol officers and special advisors, among others. Some of the positions are seemingly duplicates but with different remuneration, such as office manager and office support for the speaker. Opposition parties have lambasted the ANC for the high salaries, which include tea servers who will bag at least R20,000 a month. FF Plus councillor Elizabeth Snyman-van Deventer said the appointments were unnecessary. “Two of the most important units – the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) and the IDP are understaffed. It’s unacceptable. The two can’t function, but political offices gets bloated with unnecessary staff,” she complained. The appointments come as the municipality has yet to hire senior managers for crucial departments, such as water, sanitation and waste management. Mangaung made headlines last year when it emerged that ANC cadres were drawing huge salaries while sitting at home.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Getrude Makhafola at The Citizen (subscriber access only)
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page