Municipal workers in a North West town haven't been paid for months. Employees of the Ditsobotla Local Municipality are facing severe delays for their November and December salaries, continuing a pattern of payment failures throughout 2025. The municipality is crippled by massive debt, including an outstanding amount of one point four billion rand owed to Eskom, alongside other unpaid bills. Unions like SAMWU and COSATU are protesting and demanding urgent intervention from national government figures like Minister Mamoloko Kubayi.
The cash crisis stems from systemic mismanagement, corruption allegations involving ghost employees, and a heavy reliance on late national treasury grants. Despite being placed under administration multiple times, most recently in 2025, interventions have failed to stabilize finances or ensure regular salary payments. This has led to deteriorating municipal services for residents, including power cuts and uncollected refuse, while workers struggle with personal debt and family hardship during the holiday period.
The ongoing collapse highlights broader failures in local governance and financial accountability. The situation remains dire with no immediate solution in sight, placing immense strain on the community and the workforce tasked with maintaining basic services.
The cash crisis stems from systemic mismanagement, corruption allegations involving ghost employees, and a heavy reliance on late national treasury grants. Despite being placed under administration multiple times, most recently in 2025, interventions have failed to stabilize finances or ensure regular salary payments. This has led to deteriorating municipal services for residents, including power cuts and uncollected refuse, while workers struggle with personal debt and family hardship during the holiday period.
The ongoing collapse highlights broader failures in local governance and financial accountability. The situation remains dire with no immediate solution in sight, placing immense strain on the community and the workforce tasked with maintaining basic services.
