A temporary accountant who has worked for Buffalo City Metro (BCM) for three years is struggling to get her salary after it was stopped eight months ago in May.Nomaphelo Titi, 54, was hired as an assistant accountant in the finance department. The position was temporary, with the option of renewal.
But for some reason unknown to her, the metro stopped her salary while she was still doing her work.
According to her appointment letter, seen by Saturday Dispatch, she earned R13776 a month with 18% of her basic salary paid as an allowance equal to what she would have earned as a pension contribution if she was full-time.
This means that she is now owed a total of R130000.
She took the matter up with the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) and senior management.
Yesterday, Titi declined to reveal much, saying: “Speak to Samwu about this, they are handling it.”
Samwu regional secretary Zolani Ndlela said they had been talking to BCM management to try to resolve the case.
“The matter has now gone to arbitration. We’ve been trying to resolve this since last year. We are working to make sure that her rights are not trampled,” Ndlela said.
Contacted for comment about how Titi’s salary was stopped, her immediate manager, Tulani Nikani, refused to say anything.
“I cannot talk to you about this. You know the relevant people to talk to within the municipality,” he said.
BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese said it was not in their policy to discuss employer-employee relationships with the media.
Last December, Ndlela wrote to acting municipal manager Nceba Ncunyana about the irregular termination of Titi’s work.
Ndlela said Titi received correspondence from the metro’s human resources (HR) unit notifying her that her contract was coming to an end.
“Upon inquiring, the HR official confirmed to her that they acted on an instruction from the asset and risk general manager, Eddie Mngqonywa.
“When her immediate manager, Nikani, was asked about this, he had no knowledge of that and conceded that her services were still required,” Ndlela said.
Ndlela claimed the metro’s chief financial officer, Vincent Pillay, also had no knowledge of the termination of the contract.
Through negotiations and other engagements, Ndlela said an agreement was reached in December that Titi be paid for the eight months she worked without pay.
“On December 3, we are told that management of finance met with corporate services to discuss the matter without any union official representative,” he said.
“The two directorates reached an agreement that Ms Titi be paid her monies and a contract be signed with her.”
Apparently that never happened.
“This is an unfair labour practice and unfair treatment that our member has suffered at the hands of management. We shall pursue due processes as prescribed in the Labour Relations Act and the collective agreement,” Ndlela said.
The matter is under arbitration. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
No BCM pay for eight months
Nomaphelo Titi, 54, was hired as an assistant accountant in the finance department. The position was temporary, with the option of renewal.
But for some reason unknown to her, the metro stopped her salary while she was still doing her work.
According to her appointment letter, seen by Saturday Dispatch, she earned R13776 a month with 18% of her basic salary paid as an allowance equal to what she would have earned as a pension contribution if she was full-time.
This means that she is now owed a total of R130000.
She took the matter up with the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) and senior management.
Yesterday, Titi declined to reveal much, saying: “Speak to Samwu about this, they are handling it.”
Samwu regional secretary Zolani Ndlela said they had been talking to BCM management to try to resolve the case.
“The matter has now gone to arbitration. We’ve been trying to resolve this since last year. We are working to make sure that her rights are not trampled,” Ndlela said.
Contacted for comment about how Titi’s salary was stopped, her immediate manager, Tulani Nikani, refused to say anything.
“I cannot talk to you about this. You know the relevant people to talk to within the municipality,” he said.
BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese said it was not in their policy to discuss employer-employee relationships with the media.
Last December, Ndlela wrote to acting municipal manager Nceba Ncunyana about the irregular termination of Titi’s work.
Ndlela said Titi received correspondence from the metro’s human resources (HR) unit notifying her that her contract was coming to an end.
“Upon inquiring, the HR official confirmed to her that they acted on an instruction from the asset and risk general manager, Eddie Mngqonywa.
“When her immediate manager, Nikani, was asked about this, he had no knowledge of that and conceded that her services were still required,” Ndlela said.
Ndlela claimed the metro’s chief financial officer, Vincent Pillay, also had no knowledge of the termination of the contract.
Through negotiations and other engagements, Ndlela said an agreement was reached in December that Titi be paid for the eight months she worked without pay.
“On December 3, we are told that management of finance met with corporate services to discuss the matter without any union official representative,” he said.
“The two directorates reached an agreement that Ms Titi be paid her monies and a contract be signed with her.”
Apparently that never happened.
“This is an unfair labour practice and unfair treatment that our member has suffered at the hands of management. We shall pursue due processes as prescribed in the Labour Relations Act and the collective agreement,” Ndlela said.
The matter is under arbitration. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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