The Democratic Alliance (DA) demands full financial transparency and immediate, across-the-board communication from !Kheis municipal management as March salaries go unpaid and staff morale collapses.
An official notice issued to employees yesterday, confirms that the municipality cannot process March salaries and is unable to provide any payment date, stating only that updates will follow as the financial position changes. This follows false expectations created earlier in March that a payment plan would be implemented.
The municipality’s financial position is dire. Revenue collection sits at around 20%, with rates and taxes not being collected as required. Although an equitable share allocation of approximately R8 million was received in March, it was used to settle January and February salaries, leaving a shortfall on other financial commitments and no capacity to pay March salaries.
Employees are under severe financial pressure, with debit orders due and Easter approaching. Ward committee stipends of R500 also remain unpaid, adding to growing frustration in communities.
In addition to the threat posed to people’s livelihoods, the DA is also concerned about the potential misuse of grant funding for salaries. Reports indicate that a R500 000 allocation of WSIG-related funds received yesterday, may be used to pay lower-level officials. This is neither sufficient nor sustainable and puts the municipality at risk of losing future grant allocations.
The DA is deeply concerned that municipal management, including the Speaker and Mayor, continue to keep Council in the dark regarding the true state of !Kheis’s finances. We demand full transparency and immediate, open communication with all councillors and stakeholders. The matter will also be addressed by the DA at a provincial level, with the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA).
The DA will continue to push for decisive action to restore financial stability, ensure salaries are paid, and protect service delivery in !Kheis Municipality.