News24 reports that the ANC-led Impendle Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) failed to pay salaries on time in April and May and now another of the province’s local municipalities, IFP-led Jozini, has failed to pay workers their June salaries on time.

According to a labour source, Impendle begged the National Treasury to fund workers’ salaries last month after the two entities had a “misunderstanding” over funds. The Treasury had apparently taken some unspent funds from the municipality, which resulted in the non-payment of salaries. This month, Jozini looks set to approach Finance Minister Enoch Godongwanaʼs office with a cap in hand. On 23 June, Jozini municipal manager Sipho Bhekisizwe Nkosi wrote a letter informing municipal workers they wouldn’t receive their salaries on their usual payment date – just a few hours before payday. “We sincerely apologise for this inconvenience. Please rest assured that we are actively working to resolve the matter and we expect salaries to be credited before the end of the first week of July 2025,” Nkosi indicated. Earlier in May, Impendle workers were told their salaries due on 29 May were being deferred.   But, a last-minute “breakthrough in the financial challenges” faced by Impendle was announced allowing municipal workers to receive their salaries. The money paid on 29 May also paid over outstanding funds owed to third parties, such as medical aid, pension funds and Unemployment Insurance Fund contributions. In a statement, SA Municipal Workers Union regional leader Mafika Mshengu said the workers’ salaries were also delayed in April.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Soyiso Maliti at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)

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