National General Council
As tensions rise outside the ANC's national general council, employees voice their frustrations over unpaid salaries.
The ANC's 5th National General Council (NGC) kick-off amid significant unrest, as a small group of unpaid employees rallied outside the Birchwood Hotel on Monday.
Their actions came despite ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula's assurance just a day prior that the issue of unpaid salaries had been addressed.
The disgruntled employees, demonstrating their frustrations, were particularly vocal about their unpaid November salaries, marking the fourth occurrence this year where the ANC has failed to meet its payroll obligations.
Among those expressing their dissatisfaction was Nombuso Mthembu, who, alongside her colleagues, wielded placards and chanted slogans depicting their grievances. “Some of us are working at the very same NGC that is being held here," she pointed out, highlighting the irony and distress of their situation.
“The salaries are not the only issue; some of us have outstanding pension fund payments and medical aid. We have members here with chronic medical illnesses, whose medical aid has been suspended,” she continued, shedding light on the dire implications of the wage delays.
Support for the protestors came from various factional groups, notably the ANC Youth League and the Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU), both of which rallied in solidarity with the affected employees.
ANC Youth League leader Collen Malatji voiced his unequivocal support, articulating a commitment to hold accountable those responsible for the financial mismanagement. “We’re going to hold everyone accountable because the workers have families to take care of,” he said, addressing the basic needs of workers who face hardship in supporting their families, particularly with the festive season approaching.
“We cannot be eating while ANC workers and their children go hungry,” he added, striking a chord with many attendees. Similarly, NEHAWU’s deputy secretary at the Luthuli House branch, Dan Semenya, reinforced the urgency of the situation.
“This matter of unpaid salaries is not limited only to November, as it has been a recurring issue. I can remind you that in 2022, in the policy conference, picketing was on the basis of the same issue,” he stated, underlining the systemic challenges the employees have faced over time. Responding to the unrest, Mbalula had previously declared in a press briefing that the salary issue had been resolved for junior staff, but acknowledged that top management, including himself, had yet to receive their November payments.
“The component of staff not paid is management, starting with me, the secretary-general. All our staff below that level have been attended to in terms of salaries,” he said, adding that efforts were being made to resolve the situation through rigorous fundraising initiatives.
