Tshwane municipal workers face financial strain due to unpaid salary increases

The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in Tshwane says the non‑payment of salary increases for municipal workers since 2021 is to blame for the  growing unpaid municipal bills now faced by almost 9,000 employees.

This follows a recent council report showing that the number of municipal employees who owe the city increased from 8,759 in July 2024 to 8,820 in July 2025, collectively owing R28.88 million.

On the other hand, the number of councillors who are in arrears rose from 121 to 131 in the same period, with R1.7 million collectively owed.

Samwu regional secretary Donald Monakisi said the outstanding 3.5% and 5.4% salary increases for 2021/22 and 2023/24, respectively, may be among the reasons many municipal workers cannot keep up with their water and electricity accounts.

“Outstanding salary increases may also be the factor because you have a situation now where the salary does not equate with the rising cost of living, including electricity and petrol prices,” he said.

He said the union has repeatedly shared the concerns regarding the workers’ economic hardships with the employer, noting that the situation hurts the workforce.

The union recently threatened to disrupt the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November, saying it is a protest against Tshwane’s move to exempt itself from the collective‑bargaining agreement of the 3.5% and 5.4% salary increases.

Monakisi said the workers are feeling the pinch because any debt they owe the city is being deducted from their salaries without consent.

“They have access to your salary and don’t even ask you to make arrangements. At month‑end, they just deduct the money. We are at the mercy of the employer - if you owe R4,000 they just take it,” he said.

The council report suggested that an increase of councillor debtors from 121 to 131 indicated a 7% year‑on‑year growth. 

“Despite this growth, the total outstanding debt has decreased from approximately R2.6 million to R1.7 million, registering a 35% reduction when compared to July 2024 and this indicates an improved debt management among councillors,” the report said. 

The report indicated that the payment ratio fell by 9% year-on-year, highlighting a reduction in the proportion of debt being actively collected.

"The number of councillors who have been directly deducted from their salaries increased significantly from 3 in July 2024 to 56 in July 2025, representing a 1,767% increase. Consequently, the total amount deducted rose from R8,082 in July 2024 to R222,477 in July 2025, a substantial 2,653% increase,” said the report.

Of the total cash allocation of R514,923,26 collected in July 2025, approximately R222,477,93 was recovered through these salary deductions enforced by the city.

According to the report, employee debtors’ total outstanding debt jumped 17% - from about R24.67 million to R28.88 million.

“This increase suggests a growing debt burden among salary deduction accounts for employees. Cash allocations related to salary deductions remained relatively stable, increasing marginally by 1% from R15.54 million in July 2024 to R15.65 million in July 2025. However, the payment ratio declined by 9%, dropping from 63% to 54%, indicating that a smaller portion of the total debt is being recovered through payments,” it said.

The number of employees whose salaries were directly deducted fell from 983 in July 2024 to 741 in July 2025. 

“Consequently, the total amount deducted also declined from R931,372,67 in July 2024 to R749,539,19 in July 2025, a 20% reduction. Of the total cash allocation of R15,651,473,09 collected in July 2025, approximately 5% (R749,539,19) was recovered through these salary deductions enforced by the city,” said the report.

The city’s communication department promised a response on Tuesday, while a Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance Eugene Modise did not reply to a request for comment.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za