Debilitating staff salary crisis could cost ANC dearly at local government elections

THE ANC’S woes over unpaid staff salaries could weaken the party’s election campaign as worker representatives say it would be impossible for employees to assist with groundwork if they are not paid.

Nationally, about 247 staff members are affected.

In the Western Cape, 14 employees, as well as six regional secretaries and one provincial coordinator, had not received their salaries, according to staff representative Mvusi Mdala.

The workers were apparently promised their pay last week, but as of yesterday this had not happened, according to an employee, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“We received a letter from the general manager Febe Potgieter, stating that the ANC won’t be able to pay the salaries and that hopefully they will be in a position to pay them soon.

“We are withholding our labour. People have had their cars repossessed, people can’t afford to pay school fees, bonds, rent.

“People are going hungry and starving, so you can’t expect someone in that situation to work,” said the employee.

Mdala said staff were still owed July and August salaries, and emphasised that there would be no question of participating in campaigning activities until they were paid.

“For ANC staff members to campaign, they need money to attend to some of their responsibilities.

“They must eat before they do anything. To have food is a basic human need.

“This is a forced tools-down by the employer, by not providing the necessary tools for the workers to go to work,” he said.

ANC Western Cape convenor Lerumo Kalako said they were concerned that the issue of non-payment of salaries could have a direct impact on the outcome of the upcoming local government elections.

Potgieter said the party had started the payment process last Friday, and “hopes, by the end of this week, to close the gap”.

Meanwhile, police have confirmed that a case of theft and corruption against senior ANC officials was registered at Johannesburg Central police station yesterday.

Dismissed ANC employee Carl Niehaus, and party staff member McDonald Mathabe lodged a complaint against the ruling party and its senior leaders over the failure to pay salaries and UIF, for almost three months.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said: “I can confirm that a case of fraud and theft was opened by Niehaus and Mathabe.

“We will investigate, and then send it to the senior public prosecutor or National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) for a decision.”

Niehaus, who was fired by the ANC last Thursday for alleged misconduct, said he would officially submit an appeal against his dismissal.

Regarding the criminal complaint, ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said: “We will have to attend to this issue when it is formally brought to us.

“The ANC is capable of dealing with whatever issue that comes before it. You’ll have to recognise and note that the ANC has been the only organisation that has been transparent about its own affairs.

“The ANC was first to speak when it could not pay it’s own staffers, when it experienced challenges because the Political Party Funding Act means funding to political parties must be disclosed, including the identities of donors.

“The ANC has not necessarily received enough yet.

“We are having to deal with challenges on a daily basis.”