ANC members and staff picketed outside the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg on Monday, protesting the non-payment of salaries and unpaid provident fund contributions which they say are deducted but not forwarded. The demonstration took place as the party’s National General Council (NGC) got under way.
Staff member Nombuso Mthembu told Newsnote that many workers have still not received their November salaries.
“They have started paying the November salaries in batches,” she said. “But the numbers they say are paid compared to those who say they are not paid… the numbers are not telling.”
She says the delays have severely affected workers’ livelihoods.
“Staff members of the ANC get confronted with suspended medical aid when they get to the doctor,” she said. “We have members with chronic illnesses who need regular medical attention, only to find out their medical aids are not paid and their salaries are delayed.”
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the party is attending to the matter.
“All our staff below have been attended to in terms of salaries. We are working on resolving this issue through our rigorous fundraising efforts to ensure that our staff bill is settled,” he said.
Mbalula revealed that the ANC’s salary bill amounts to roughly R20 million per month.
“We are working to ensure that this mishap of non-payment is resolved. It does not give us a good image as an organisation, and we intend to resolve it permanently using our fundraising mechanisms,” he said.
