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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Kopanong Local Municipality is concerned over the recurring issue of delayed salary payments, affecting the hardworking councillors and municipal employees. Despite repeated assurances citing "cash flow challenges," the salaries are now slated to be paid on 6 December 2023, causing undue financial strain on the dedicated municipal staff. It is completely unacceptable to employees, who are going through the worst cost of living crisis in recent times, to not receive their salaries on time.

This alarming situation is part of a concerning trend, where the municipality consistently struggles to meet its financial commitments, jeopardizing the livelihoods of its employees and service delivery. One of the main challenges faced by the municipality is the tardy submission of returns required for timely fund allocation. Although quarterly funds are received from the state, these are predominantly utilised to cover arrears and pay salaries. Consequently, crucial projects are delayed due to a lack of funding, and debt collection efforts remain grossly inadequate. This vicious cycle has once again resulted in the unfortunate delay of salary payments.

This financial instability not only affects the municipality's workforce but also hampers the progress of essential community projects, leading to a slowdown in local development efforts. Furthermore, residents face the brunt of this mismanagement, receiving exorbitant bills even as basic services suffer due to funding shortages.

The DA will call for a comprehensive, independent forensic audit of the municipality's finances. This audit aims to identify the root causes of the financial crisis, paving the way for strategic interventions. According to Section 139 of the Constitution, which empowers provincial executives to intervene when a municipality fails in its obligations, the DA will actively seek provincial intervention to rectify this dire situation.

By taking these proactive steps, we are committed to ensuring accountability, transparency, and timely financial management within the Kopanong Municipality. The well-being of our community and the dignity of our hardworking employees remain our utmost priority.

Issued by Estelle Noordman - DA Councillor Kopanong Local Municipality