Rustenburg municipal workers down tools over non-payment of salaries

“We are from Absa, the bank made a commitment that salaries will be paid,” he told workers who had gathered in front on the municipal offices on Thursday.

Khunou, flanked by municipal manager Bheki Khenisa, went to the bank to found out why the bank had not processed the municipality’s salary run.

“The bank is also investigating why there was a delay in processing salaries. Our bank statement showed that we paid our R27 million salary bill.”

He told the workers that there was a technical problem in the bank’s system that had caused the delay.

“The bank made a commitment that it will not charge you for returned debit orders,” he told the workers.

Earlier staff had deserted their workplaces and marched to the municipality protesting that they had not received their June salary.

The staff sang liberation songs, vowing not to return to their work stations until all had received their salaries. They also demanded that the mayor and the municipal manager join them in protest until salaries were paid.

“There is no way we are going to run away from you, we avail ourselves this morning and went to the bank to found out what caused the delay. We are not running away from you,” said Khunou.

While the mayor and his team was locked in a meeting with Absa management, some of their workers said their monthly salaries had finally been paid.

“My pay was deposited in my account,” shouted one woman after she received a notification from her cellphone.

“If we did not come here, they would not have paid us.”

Khunou pleaded with the workers not to disturb peace at the municipality while waiting for their salaries.

All employees of the municipality, including councillors had been affected.

ANA