Mafube Local Municipality staff in Free State went unpaid for October after the administration cited depleted funds. Acting municipal manager Jamela Selapyane issued a memo last week acknowledging the hardship but provided no specific payment date. The delay affects hundreds of workers who depend on wages to cover rent, groceries, and school fees.
The municipality has battled financial problems for more than a decade. Workers staged protests in May after similar payment failures, and the administration owes R14 million to retirement funds. Court action in May prevented creditors from seizing assets related to R98 million in unpaid pension contributions.
Opposition parties requested intervention from provincial and national authorities. The Democratic Alliance called for forensic audits and possible administration under constitutional provisions. Revenue collection stands at 60 percent as billing errors and resident non-payment strain municipal operations.
The municipality has battled financial problems for more than a decade. Workers staged protests in May after similar payment failures, and the administration owes R14 million to retirement funds. Court action in May prevented creditors from seizing assets related to R98 million in unpaid pension contributions.
Opposition parties requested intervention from provincial and national authorities. The Democratic Alliance called for forensic audits and possible administration under constitutional provisions. Revenue collection stands at 60 percent as billing errors and resident non-payment strain municipal operations.
