Irate Workers of the troubled Zastron-based Mohokare Local Municipality in the Free State are up in arms demanding their salaries from the cash-strapped municipality.

Municipal workers on Thursday morning burned tyres in front of the municipal offices in Zastron in protest against the non-payment. A person in the upper echelon of the municipality, who requested to remain anonymous, said the municipality is prioritising service providers with close contact with politicians and officials. The person said the municipality received an equitable share of R28 million in July 2023.

Municipal workers burned tyres in front of the municipal offices in Zastron. Picture supplied

“The municipality in October 2023 approached a bank to ask for an overdraft to pay workers but the request was declined. The municipality was told that its financial standing is not in good condition. It was further told that it does meet the requirements to make a loan. If I am not mistaken, over R11 million of the R28 million was paid to service providers. If there were to be any issues with the municipal salary bill we should be experiencing it around the end of October or November, and not September.”

Several municipalities in the province failed to pay employees their salaries for September 2023 due to cash flow issues. Mohokare has now become the third Free State municipality to issue workers with notices of late payments after the Welkom-based Matjhabeng and Theunissen-based Masilonyana did so recently.

The Mohokare municipal spokesperson, Lehlohonolo Mafatman, said the protest by disgruntled employees has led to service provision interruption.

“The most affected area currently is Zastron, in both areas of Rouxville and Smithfield operations are normal,” Mafatman said.

The areas which were affected by protest action in Zastron included the road infrastructure and stormwater maintenance, refuse removal, and sanitation.

Several municipal workers protested in front of the municipal offices in Zastron. Picture supplied

Mafatman said the municipality was working hard to resolve the situation, restoring service provision consistently and constantly.

“Therefore, the community of Mohokare, specifically the area of Zastron, is urged to exercise patience. The municipality humbly conveys its sincere apologies for any inconvenience which might have been caused by this matter.”  

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane