Four of KwaDukuza municipality’s highest ranking officials are demanding a hefty increase to their already generous packages.
The executive directors are apparently putting pressure on council to increase their salaries to around R1,2m a year, each.
Should council approve the decision the directors want back pay for 2013.
A source within council told the Courier the directors are led by municipal manager Nhlanhla Mdakane.
An item listing the cabal’s demands has been tabled in-committee at two previous executive committee meetings and withdrawn.
“Each time the item was brought up the councillors were united in their decision to reject it. There is no way council can pass this because the municipality cannot afford it,” said the source.
The directors are refusing to back down on their demands, apparently because they believe they are entitled to the increase.
The group apparently feels their salaries should be in the same region as chief financial officer, Shamir Rajcoomar. Rajcoomar’s salary was substantially increased in the last financial year when his contract was
reviewed, due to his vast portfolio of responsibilities.
“They think it is unfair for them to earn less than the CFO so they will not stop until council puts the decision through.”
Following Tuesday’s meeting the executive committee is seeking advice from their lawyers and the South African Local Government Association.
