According to the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu), the municipality last paid over contributions in October 2020. The saga has been dragging on for years now, with no signs of the issue being resolved. The union's provincial secretary, Tiisetso Mahlatsi, says not even the intervention from government yielded positive results with issues persisting further. Mahlatsi says all municipal workers have been affected and millions of rands have not been paid. He further says they have since opened a case against the municipality with the Hawks.

Whilst replying to issues besieging this municipality, the spokesperson of the municipality, Solly Phama, however, explained that the issue of the payment of third-party benefits is historical.  

Meanwhile, Mahlatsi adds that workers employed after 2012 have not been registered with the fund, monies have been deducted but no contributions have been made.

The fund received an order in 2013 and 2017. There was supposed to be a write off execution but the Provincial Government intervened. Their intervention did not make a difference as there was no improvement,” he adds.

Last week, the auctioning of the municipal fleet was halted. The auctioning of three vehicles was granted by the court after failed payments over the years. 

Mahlatsi further adds that currently there's one member who received a letter from the fund, indicating that the member has forfeited the member's risk benefits of R263 068 of the Group Life Assurance.

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