ANC’s Free State staff facing hospitalisation, homelessness after six months with no pay

While staffers in other provinces have been paid so far, African National Congress (ANC) employees in the Free State face another bleak Christmas, and are expected to prepare for the party’s January 8 celebrations scheduled to be held in Bloemfontein next month without a pay cheque in sight.

Employees at Kaizer Sebothelo provincial office who receive payments directly from Luthuli House told The Citizen that they were always ill because of stress.

ANC staffers across the country have, for more than a year, fought for their salaries and benefits through pickets and court action.

RELATED: ‘We may up the tempo’: ANC staff picket outside Luthuli House over unpaid salaries

The financially struggling governing party, which plans to host over 6000 delegates for the December elective conference, has unpaid debts running into millions of Rands.

Stressed by outstanding bills

Unpaid bills landed depressed ANCYL administrator Mathapelo Rasekoai in hospital recently.

She said her mother’s death affected her badly last year, and this was worsened by the unpaid wages.

“At this point, I am just relying on God for help. It has been six months of no salary, I don’t even want to talk about this these days. It depresses me further.

“I fell very sick. I just finished my sessions with a psychologist. That is how terrible it has been for us here,” said the mother of one.

Another employee, Masabata Makae, who is also the designated workers’ representative, said she had to plead for cash from sympathisers after her landlord threatened to throw her out of her apartment over unpaid rent.

“I went to the Premier [Sefora Ntombela] for money because I was very desperate. She helped to pay the landlord, saving me and my children from homelessness.”

READ MORE: Unpaid ANC staff protest outside Nasrec gala dinner where seat next to president cost R1m

She said she didn’t report for work on Monday because she wasn’t feeling well.

“Our bodies are giving in. The stress is too much. Mathapelo almost died, it has been very hard on her. As their representative, I also have a duty to comfort them and check on their wellbeing.”

‘I sent letters to Luthuli House’

In another desperate move, Makae said she sent her children’s school fees and rental bills to Luthuli House general manager Fébé Potgieter.

“I sent them the bills, asking them for help. I wrote to them as they requested, but still, there’s no assistance.

“Comrade Fébé was here on 26th August. I told her to at least pay me a fraction of what they owe me. She promised to try to make a plan, but there was nothing happening. It is my hope that we get paid before Christmas,” she said.

When contacted for comment, Potgieter declined to give her side of the story regarding Free State staff.

“The national spokesperson is the one to talk to. I don’t speak to the media. You can also try to contact [IPC coordinator Paseka] Nompondo, ” Potgieter said.

Attempts to get hold of national ANC spokesperson and treasurer-general hopeful Pule Mabe were unsuccessful. He texted promising to respond but was unreachable later.

‘UIF, provident fund unpaid’

Meanwhile, the workers’ representative at head office Mvusi Mdlala said the Free State workers’ issue came out during a meeting of managers last week.

“They paid owed salaries to eight provinces so far, but haven’t paid UIF or the provident fund. Treasurer-general [Paul Mashatile] had an arrangement with provinces that they should, in the meantime, pay workers. We were against this as they abdicated their responsibilities.

“What the ANC subjects its workers to is very sad. This issue of owed salaries has affected employees. It’s a crisis that won’t die,” Mdala said.

Free State ANC spokesperson Oupa Khoabane said the province fulfilled Mashatile’s request and doesn’t owe anyone so far.

“Those who are owed monies are actually owed by head office, not us. The rest, who are paid by the province, are not owed any salaries at all.

“So, it is Luthuli House that has an outstanding debt to the workers.”

For Rasekoai and Makae, not working in January for the party’s annual birthday celebrations was not an option.

The duo said they have no other choice as ANC’s employees.

“The ANC is our employer and our movement. We will be working. We do not have a choice. The unfortunate part also is that we are very limited here. Others are ageing, so we need reinforcement,” said Makae.

NOW READ: ANC dragged to court as employees insist salaries still outstanding