The two Houses of Parliament will on Wednesday finally consider the appointment of Salga CEO Xolile George as the new Secretary to Parliament.
As time runs out for municipalities to be formed, many hung municipalities and metros are still in the balance as parties struggle to agree on the way forward.
By law, councillors have to hold their first council meeting within 14 days of the election results being declared but given that political parties are not reaching agreements for coalitions, this period seems to be too short.
The South African Local Government Association said after every municipal election, a nationwide councillor induction programme is held to empower newcomers through training.
Workers are demanding a R4,000 salary increase across the board, saying that this will ensure that the wage gap in the sector is narrowed and that workers receive decent increments.
Workers are demanding a R2,500 or 7% salary increase with other benefits. However, the employer is offering 2.8%.
Salga CEO Xolile George said that while councillors did not require any particular qualification, their lack of skills had become a problem.
Khanyile died in a hail of bullets on Saturday when he was attacked by an unknown person in Meyersdal.
Two portfolio committees said that due to the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown, the water department and local government association needed to reconsider proposals to increase tariffs.
Rand West City Local Municipality councillor Festus Matshogo died after his house was petrol bombed earlier this week.
The association says Eskom’s demands will not only exacerbate debt owing by municipalities, but also force more paying customers to move off the grid.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says there are still far too many municipalities that are not well-resourced to a to the needs of their communities.
The Labour Department says that Salga has not submitted audited financial statements from 2012 to 2017, as well as minutes of meetings that elected office bearers.
Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu says that his 2016/2017 audit findings show there's been no positive change towards credible results for municipalities across the country.
Samwu spokesperson Papiki Mohale says that if municipalities can afford to splash out on these perks, they can afford the demanded 15% wage increase as well as R10,000 minimum wage for its workers by July 2018.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was speaking at the Salga (South African Local Government Association) conference in Sandton where he met with councillors to discuss the state of local governance.
Tau served as mayor of the city until the ANC was voted out after this year’s local government elections.
All nine premiers and some ministers will join Salga to discuss the issues with the president.
