Morero's R10bn balancing act

DAMAGE CONTROL: JOBURG'S WAGE DEAL AIMS TO PREVENT G20 DISRUPTIONS, SAY CRITICS >>→ While reservoirs fail, city prioritises union payouts - DA.

- Jarryd Westerdale & Itumeleng Mafisa

UNDER FIRE. Joburg mayor Dada Morero fights for survival amid salary deals, service delivery failures and political crossfire.

(Picture: Gallo Images)

The City of Joburg is negotiating a two-year, R10 billion pay deal for municipal workers to stop unions from protesting during the upcoming G20 Summit and to try to save the career of mayor Dada Morero, claims the DA.

And, as the deal is still being negotiated, SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) Johannesburg regional secretary Thobani Nkosi said that, with the summit due to start on 20 November, Samwu would not rule out the possibility of protests.

"It depends on the city whether they commit to the implementation of the R10 billion or not," said Nkosi.

He said any recent agreements reflect adjustments made to meet Samwu's concerns over "salary disparities" within the municipality.

However, he denied Samwu had been paid and said the R10 billion deal was still in the facilitation process.

"As an organisation, we have not received anything, but we have fought for the rights of workers to have parity," Nkosi said.

The DA said the Johannesburg municipality has a choice between paying unionised city employees, or investing in water infrastructure.

The party claims to be in possession of a document that prioritises the payment of salaries while Joburg's residents battle for an adequate water supply.

A billion-rand multiyear deal is expected to be signed between the city and Samwu in the coming weeks, the party said.

It said the document states that the mayoral committee has sent a list of terms to the city's negotiation team.