KZN COGTA gives Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality 3 weeks to resolve striking workers issue

DURBAN - The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in KwaZulu-Natal has given the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality on the south coast, three weeks to resolve the issue of striking workers.  

Staff at the municipality have been protesting over backpay and salary grade increases since 2024. 

The ongoing protest has stopped the delivery of basic services in the coastal town.  

Having met ratepayers, traditional leaders, and worker unions, the department has called for a solution from the municipality.  

In 2016, the Hibiscus Coast and Ezinqoleni municipalities were amalgamated into one municipality, Ray Nkonyeni.  

In 2021, the municipality reviewed the salaries of senior management and, in 2023, that of councillors to grade 5 level and also made back payments.  

Municipal workers have since been demanding the same when it comes to their salaries.  

COGTA MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi visited the municipality on Friday amid the strike.  

“We have given the leadership of this municipality three weeks to address the concerns raised by the workers and the community. It was disappointing that the mayor decided not to be here.”  

Buthelezi said he would return to the municipality laterin  January, hoping a solution would have been provided.