Tshwane under fire for councillor salary hike

THE Lotus Gardens, Atteridgeville, and Saulsville Civic Association (Lasca) has slammed the City of Tshwane’ council for approving a 5% salary increase for councillors, while city workers have been waiting for their own salary adjustments.

- RAPULA MOATSHE

‘Tshepo Mahlangu, the organisation’ leader, has been outspoken in his criticism, emphasising the perceived double standard in the treatment of councillors versus city employees.

He argues that approving councillor salary increments while relying heavily on consultants instead of investing in the workforce undermines both residents and city employees.

“Why should councillors be rewarded while employees are still fighting for their long overdue salary increases?” Mahlangu asked.

He questioned the justification for councillor salary increments, noting that thousands of unemployed residents have protested the unemployment crisis and that outsourced security guards have long awaited insourcing.

“We are under the impression that the City of Tshwane Municipality is financially constrained but this is really disturbing, worrisome and unacceptable,” he said.