Workers at ANC headquarters in Luthuli House in Johannesburg have had on-going problems getting paid. Picture: Itumeleng English/African News Agency (ANA)
Uncertainty hangs in the air over whether ANC Western Cape staff will be paid in time for Christmas, with party bosses saying the matter is in treasurer-general Paul Mashatile’s hands.
ANC Western Cape treasurer, Unathi Tshotwana said that although the party was working on a financial plan to be tabled in the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC), they were in no position to make any promises.
Tshotwana said the financial task team was set to meet before the IPC meets with Mashatile to discuss the party’s financial crisis at the weekend.
"At the moment the ANC does not have money, we are having a meeting to find ways to try and sustain our staff and to make sure that they have food to eat," Tshotwana said.
He said the financial task team had developed a plan to be approved by the IPC and the National Working Committee (NWC). He, however, said he could not divulge any further details on the plan.
"We have been providing some things for the staff as you know it has been very tough for the ANC nationally and we are not immune to that.
"National is struggling, provinces are struggling, and the ANC in the Western Cape is not in power, and it’s quite difficult, it’s quite hard, and we are taking this thing very seriously because we know it impacts the lives of people who have given their time and their lives to the ANC," Tshotwana said.
Asked if salaries would be paid in time for Christmas, Tshotwana said: "I understand that national is doing everything to make sure that staff is paid in time for Christmas. Our staff has been working throughout without payment but only out of loyalty."
Tshotwana said the matter should be attended to by Mashatile.
"This is Paul Mashatile’s problem now, the top five and the entire National Executive Committee must come on board and make sure that they help and make sure that the staff has food to eat.
"I don’t want to make any promises, but these questions must be directed to Paul Mashatile," Tshotwana said.
Meanwhile, Mashatile revealed at a recent meeting of the NEC that the party was considering selling some of its local and international properties.
Mashatile told journalists the move was not linked to the ANC’s financial woes, but was more to "consolidate" the party’s properties.
Besides the properties in South Africa, the ANC also has properties in London and Zambia.
The ANC has failed to pay salaries on time for the past year, while the provident fund, unemployment insurance fund, and medical aid contributions have not been paid since 2018.
Its financial woes started when the Political Party Funding Act was passed in April 2021.
The Act prohibits political parties from accepting donations of more than R15 million a year, and it also enforces transparency with disclosure to the Electoral Commission of South Africa of donations over R100 000.
Attempts to reach ANC staff representative Mvusi Mdala were unsuccessful.