On Wednesday morning, employees set tyres alight in front of the municipal headquarters in Ladybrand, demanding answers from management of the municipality regarding the non-payment of June's salaries and third-party contributions. Shopsteward and chairperson of the Independent Municipal Allied Trade Union (Imatu), Mahlomola Tsaoane, tells OFM News third party contributions have not been paid since February, and they are of the view that the municipality’s financial woes are Municipal Manager Thamae Masejane’s fault. 

Masejane alleges that last month they increased the salaries of councillors and directors. He says ordinary employees of the municipality are not receiving those same benefits and they are of the view Masejane is to blame for this. “We are sick and tired,” he concludes. Imatu is now calling for Mantsopa Mayor, Mamsie Tsoene, to fire Masejane as a matter of urgency.

Mantsopa spokesperson, Pule Leshesa, commented briefly on the matter, revealing that salary payouts have been delayed to 7 July 2020. He declined to comment on Tsaoane’s allegations that third-party contributions haven’t been paid since February. 

This is just the tip of the iceberg for the municipality, which includes the towns of Ladybrand and Tweespruit. Mantsopa, Kopanong and Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality collectively owe Bloem Water over R 1,4 billion for services rendered. Bloem Water has blamed this mammoth debt for its operational challenges and said this has a disastrous impact on its financial and operational sustainability. 

The outstanding balances, as at 31 May 2020, are as follows: 

Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality - R1 014 898 965 

Kopanong Local Municipality - R383 989 662

Mantsopa Local Municipality - R2 303 000

Total amount owed to Bloem Water - R1 401 191 714 

OFM News