Officials back down on wages

Workers to be paid after circular withdrawn

AFTER a week-long negotiation with unions, the KSD leadership and union leaders have agreed to withdraw the circular issued by municipal manager Zizamele Mnqanqeni informing workers that they would not get paid.

KSD mayor Nonkoliso Ngqongwa and her executive told workers yesterday that they would get paid.

A formal circular confirming this would be issued after the meeting.

In his circular of Tuesday this week, Mnqanqeni said salaries would only be paid in the first week of July.

After issuing the circular, Mnqanqeni went on sick leave.

Soon after it was released staff members threatened to down tools if their salaries were not paid on June 25.

Assistance was sought from the Department of Local Government but superintendent-general Stanley Khanyile said the department would look at other ways of assisting the municipality such as scaling down spending.

During Ngqongwa’s address, staff members called for Mnqanqeni’s immediate dismissal. The mayoral committee said they would look into the concerns regarding Mnqanqeni.

Yesterday’s circular, issued by acting municipal manager Nosisa Soldati, read: “Reference is made to the circular dated June 10 2014 regarding non-payment of salaries and allowances, which is hereby withdrawn. Assurance has been given that salaries will indeed be paid as expected on June 25 2014,” Soldati wrote.

Samwu’s Lwazi Madyibi said staff members were relieved by Ngqongwa’s address.

“We were shocked to hear that an institution of this magnitude would not have funds to pay staff.

“But the meeting we had with the mayor was positive.”

Municipal spokesman Sonwabo Mampoza said the matter would be tabled before council.

“Ratepayers and the community should not panic as the KSD council will continue to deliver services to them as per the institution’s Integrated Development Plan,” Mampoza said. — abongilem@dispatch.