Samwu Provincial Secretary, Thabang Tsweou, says the situation at municipalities has now reached a dire state.

He says the municipal workers have been struggling to receive their benefits at municipalities since 2012 and this has disadvantaged the workers who worked hard for their benefits.

He says some workers have since died due to not having access to their medical aid benefits.

He says municipalities like Mafube, Kopanong, Masilonyana and others have not paid the workers their benefits, claiming to be cash-strapped.

A number of municipalities are under administration and there has been no development ever since.

"It can't be that workers are unable to access their monies that they have worked for, we are deeply concerned about the situation, we even went to court many times with hope of assisting the workers," Tsweou says.

Meanwhile, the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Oupa Khoabane, says his department is trying to find a solution to help the municipality to pay off its debts.

He says a specialised team has been deployed to the cash-strapped municipalities, including the Mafube Local Municipality in Frankfort, to deal with problems facing the municipality. The municipality is alleged to have failed to pay workers pension and insurance benefits for years now. Mafube municipality incorporates towns such as Frankfort, Villiers and Tweeling, among others.

He says they would work around the clock to make sure the workers receive what is due to them.

OFM News/Michael Tlhakudi