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The Citizen reports that a war of words is underway at the Polokwane local municipality in Limpopo between the Congress of the People (Cope), the municipality, and the ruling ANC over salary increases for councilors.
This comes after the municipality was recently granted a Grade 6 status by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). This classification is a step towards full metropolitan status. At the centre of the controversy is the municipal council’s decision to approve a salary increase only for councillors, leaving other staffers in the lurch. This has left Cope spitting fire. “We, as Cope, strongly condemn the decision by the Polokwane municipal council to consider salary increases for councillors only,” said acting general-secretary Erick Mohlapamaswi. He reported that a proposal was tabled during a council meeting on Wednesday to adjust councillors’ salaries in line with the Grade 6 classification. However, he said no similar provision was made for the municipality’s administrators and workers, whose efforts were instrumental in achieving that milestone.
“It is deeply unjust that only councillors are set to benefit from the Grade 6 upgrade, while the very people who worked day and night to secure this achievement are being left behind,” Mohlapamaswi asserted. He branded the decision discriminatory and exploitative. Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala characterised Cope’s sentiments as totally devoid of truth.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Japho Matlala at The Citizen
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