The Theunissen-based municipality has issued workers with a communiqué detailing that it has cash flow challenges. The communique issued by the office of the Municipal Manager (MM) informs these workers that municipal employees, including councillors, will not receive their salaries as expected on Monday 28 July 2020 but it will be processed on 6 July. A few weeks ago, earlier in June, OFM News broke the news that the municipality had issued a caution to workers about the delay of their salaries. The municipality is yet to comment on OFM News’ inquiry.

Meanwhile, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in the province said it won’t be bailing out the financially strained municipalities due to pressure on its budget. The Head of the Department (HOD), Mokete Duma, said despite the department being fully aware of the challenges facing this municipality, the department won’t be able to bail them out this time. In May 2021, the council removed both the mayor and MM at a special council sitting after instructions from Cogta. The municipality recently experienced a wave of protests in two areas, namely Winburg and Theunissen.

OFM News