DURBAN - THE izinduna claim they have provided the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) with numerous options on how it could process the R1.4 billion backpay that is owed to them.
The izinduna, locked in a battle with the provincial government over the matter, met the DA yesterday to discuss the issue.
They called a meeting with the party leaders in Amajuba yesterday. The DA delegation was led by its provincial leader, Francois Rodgers.
Cogta revealed earlier this year that it was in negotiations with the national government over the issue of the backpay, saying the matter was not their mandate nor was it their idea to pay izinduna salaries.
Yesterday's meeting showed that there is tension between the provincial Cogta department and izinduna, with the izinduna revealing that their many requests to the department to find a solution have not been heeded.
The chairperson of izinduna in Amajuba, Percy Nkosi, said they had called the meeting with the DA as the provincial government has been unwilling to meet the izinduna.
“We are asking you, the DA, to ask them to give us a breakdown, we had asked the current HOD (head of department) Thando Tubane, he never gave us this breakdown, that is our request to you that you give us the break down of the R1.4bn,” he said.
He said they had given the government different options to process the backpay.
“We have had difficulty meeting with the current MEC for Cogta, Sipho Hlomuka. We wrote to him giving him three proposals on how this could be addressed, we said he could pay the backpay based on the month the induna was born. So an induna born in January could be paid in January,” he said.
He said another option was to pay the money in small instalments.
“The third option was to pay half one year and the second half the next year; he has never availed himself to discuss all these options.”
Rodgers said the meeting was fruitful. He said there were incidents prior to and during the meeting that the party viewed as intimidation tactics by Cogta.
“We were informed by izinduna that someone from Cogta had directed them not to attend, and during the meeting, two officials from the local Cogta offices came to record the meeting,” he said.
Rodgers said they were in support of the backpay being paid, but said it should be paid by the national government.
“The legislature does not have the money; this is an unfunded mandate and the money should be paid by the national government.”
Cogta spokesperson Senzo Mzila said he was not aware of the meeting or the allegations of intimidation.
He said the Cogta MEC was engaging with the national government to find a solution to the backpay issue.
THE MERCURY