For Immediate
23rd May 2023
UPDATE: UNPAID SALARIES BY THE NORTH WEST PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) wishes to update its members and workers at the North West Transport Investment (NTI) to be specific, and the members of the public, that indeed the union had a follow up meeting with the office of the Premier of the North West. This follows a commitment taken by the MEC of Transport in the province, MEC Sello Lehari to pay the outstanding salaries of our members and workers at the entity. It is indeed very embarrassing and disturbing that the workers have not been paid their salaries for over 3 months now at a government entity.
The reality is that the entity owes workers millions of rands. That includes medical aid funds being deducted from the salaries of the workers, who are already poorly paid, and it does not go to the relevant service provider. This also includes the provident fund being deducted from the salaries of the workers and it does not go through the right channels. The Provincial Government could not provide a specific date to pay the salaries of the workers, however it has committed to the union that before the end of this week (Friday)the workers would know when to expect their salaries. On Friday again, the union will meet with the Premier of the Province, Premier Bushy to discuss how to prevent this unacceptable behaviour going forward.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union is not shocked by the behaviour of the so called ‘BRP’ Mr Thomas Samos. The organisation also learnt that the Gauteng Transport Provincial Government has paid a subsidy of R29 millions to the NTI. It is very disgusting and disrespectful that the workers are still not paid their salaries, in fact it is a clear indication that Thomas does not care about the workers. We are aware that he paid other creditors except the workers.
The union has been very vocal about the incompetency of this man. He has no respect for anyone. He is arrogant yet useless. The union maintains that the so called ‘BRP’ must GO he does not know what he is doing. The entity became worse after his appointment. The union would also want to clarify that matter of Mr Thomas is still in court, the organisation wants this man to be fired with immediate effect, the matter will be heard in August.
We are also calling on Thomas Samons to refrain from misleading our members and workers through his ‘statement’. He must stop lying, this man knows very well that the subsidy was paid on time. We are also as instructing him to STOP seeking private meetings with our members without the union being involved. He knows very well that, he NOT supposed to do that. If he continues being mischievous with our members, we will lay charges and complaints against him.
The union through its legal team has written a letter to Thomas Samons to get a better understanding of why he did not pay the workers after the Gauteng Provincial Department of Transport paid millions to the entity. Where is the money? Why is this man not prioritising the workers? Sadly, his incompetency is also affecting quality public service delivery to the ordinary citizens of this country as millions of our people between the North West and the Gauteng Provinces depend on these buses daily.
SATAWU has written to both the Minister of Transport Ms Sindi Chikunga and the MEC of Transport in Gauteng, Ms Kedibone Diale Tlabela for an urgent meeting to solves these issues.
We are hopeful to give an update before Thursday the latest on this matter.
Issued by SATAWU.