Durban - The KwaZulu-Natal government will pay izinduna (headmen) R1 300 a month after a meeting between the two parties on Tuesday.
This is an interim solution while discussions regarding the R84 000 annual salary promised to izinduna continue.
Ubumbano Lwezinduna, an organisation representing headmen in the province wants the salary issue resolved before next year’s local government elections.
On Tuesday the group held a meeting with Premier Senzo Mchunu, where the premier offered to pay the headmen R1 300 a month until their salary impasse is resolved.
There are more than 2 000 headmen in the province and the department would need about R171 million to cover their salaries annually.
Vusi Mthethwa, a headman and spokesman for the group, said their meeting with the premier was promising.
“We have been having these meetings trying to find a solution to the salary issue. The premier promised that headmen, including those who did not attend traditional councils, would get the R1 300 pay. Because of the backpay issue, we saw it wise to accept the offer and the premier promised to increase the amount, although he didn’t say when and by how much,” Mthethwa said.
There have been ongoing talks between the two parties over pay expectations after President Jacob Zuma’s reported R84 000 standardised salary proclamation in June.
It was reported that Zuma had decided to standardise salaries for izinduna, with a flat rate of R84 125 a year, as recommended by the Commission for Remuneration of Public Office Bearers.
In the past, only izinduna serving in traditional councils received the allowance of R1 300 a month.
“Given the seriousness of this matter and the respect we have for the headmen we have discussed the matter with the president. We have explained to him the challenges we are facing as the provincial government on this issue. He is keen to meet the delegation of izinduna to talk about this matter,” Mchunu said.
The meeting would be arranged soon.
He said izinduna were asked to be patient as all government resources and how they are expended, had to be properly budgeted for. A law governing the process was also needed.
“This is not a delaying tactic as some would believe, but a measure to ensure that everything is based on legality,” he said.
Mthethwa said: “Headmen are still adamant that if the matter is not resolved fast, they will go back to the initial plan of marching to the premier’s office.
“They all agreed that should the matter not be resolved before next year’s local government elections, they will go back to the plan to disrupt the process. We still have faith in this government but if promises are not kept, action will be taken.”
Daily News