The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Emfuleni Local Municipality has raised concerns about what it describes as severe financial mismanagement after revelations that the municipality spent over R500 million on overtime in the past five years.
According to a reply from Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, Emfuleni allocated between R91 million and R124 million annually to overtime payments from the 2019/2020 to 2023/2024 financial years.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many employees worked remotely, R102 million was paid out in overtime for the 2020/21 financial year.
Last year, the municipality faced a cash flow crisis, failing to pay September salaries on time after Eskom attached its bank accounts due to outstanding electricity bills.
DA Gauteng legislature member Kingsol Chabalala criticised the spending and argued that it is unjustifiable for a municipality that struggles to deliver basic services.
“We believe employees are colluding with managers to steal from the municipality under the guise of overtime,” Chabalala said.
The DA has called on the Gauteng Provincial Government to hold those responsible for this financial mismanagement accountable.
“The only ones who are suffering due to this gross mismanagement are the residents of ELM. They deserve to receive proper service delivery,” said Chabalala.
“The Democratic Alliance (DA) will continue to put pressure on MEC Mamabolo to ensure that the employees tasked with providing services do so and do not claim overtime. A DA-led provincial government in Gauteng would ensure that all employees at ELM do not unduly claim overtime by immediately conducting an audit.”
“In addition, we will provide the necessary guidance and support needed to turn this municipality around through the COGTA department and ensure the residents receive services.”
The municipality has yet to respond to media inquiries regarding the matter.
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