The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) in Tshwane has condemned the council’s decision to grant councillors a 5% salary increase, viewing it as a direct provocation to municipal workers who have been waiting for wage adjustments since the 2021/2022 and 2023/2024 financial years. 

The union has been embroiled in a dispute with the city over salary increases of 3.5% for 2021 and 5.4% for 2023, which were agreed upon in a collective bargaining agreement. 

Despite the agreement, the city applied for exemptions, citing financial constraints, and is currently contesting the matter in the Labour Court.

Samwu regional chairperson Lehlogonolo Maphatsoe highlighted the plight of municipal workers, saying: “We are fighting for salary increases that should have been implemented in 2021. In between we have had the cost of living increasing, the price of petrol is increasing and the price of bread is increasing.”

He emphasised that the union’s stance is not about celebrating former Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink or the DA-led administration, but rather about expressing deep disappointment with the current administration’s actions

“We want to put it before the residents of Tshwane that we prematurely celebrated this administration. When they came in last year, workers celebrated, including ourselves as the union. We were of the view that here comes an administration that will reverse the decisions of the previous administration – decisions that were not pro-workers,” he said.

He threatened that should the council not reverse the 5% increment for councillors “there will be no G20 in Gauteng. We are working on a build-up programme to ensure that Gauteng will be ungovernable”. 

“They have declared war and they have invited us into a boxing ring and we have welcomed the invite. We will meet with this city toe-to-toe,” he said.

Regional secretary Donald Monakhisi expressed outrage over the city’s decision to grant councillors a 5% salary increase, backdated to 2024, while denying municipal workers their demanded wage increases of 3.5% and 5.4%.

“The resolution exposes the hypocrisy and blatant disregard for the sacrifices of frontline municipal employees who keep our communities running under difficult conditions. It’s unacceptable that elected representatives have chosen to prioritise their own pockets, even as workers endure rising costs of living, unsafe working environments, and wage stagnation,” he said.

Samwu’s stance against salary increase for councillors is supported by the Lotus Gardens, Atteridgeville, and Saulsville Civic Association (Lasca). 

Lasca’s leader, Tshepo Mahlangu, recently criticised the council’s decision, arguing that approving salary increments for councillors while relying heavily on consultants instead of investing in the workforce undermines both residents and city employees.

Last month the union threatened to hold political parties accountable in the 2026 local government elections for refusing to pay outstanding workers’ salary increases during a march at Tshwane House.

During the march, Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise claimed the city proposed a phased payment approach for the 3.5% salary increase to Samwu leadership. 

The proposal allegedly involved paying junior staff first, followed by middle staff, and finally senior staff. 

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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