GEORGE NEWS - The projected overtime paid out to municipal officials and workers over a period of just six months, is almost R21-million over the budgeted amount.
A list of more than 250 municipal officials and workers, mostly from Civil Engineering, Community Services and Electrical Services, shows that these individuals all worked more than 200 hours overtime for five months.
"This means they worked more than 40 hours overtime per month," reads a report on overtime presented to George Council.
"In one instance, an employee of Civil Engineering earned more than R80 000 in overtime from 1 July 2017 until 31 December 2017.
Each department provided reasons why their personnel need to work overtime and the challenges faced reducing overtime expenditure.
A shortage of personnel seems to be a very real issue in this regard.
Law Enforcement stated that due to the limited number of officers (14 in total), it is currently not practical to run a shift system.
The George Fire Department is running a three-shift (8 persons per shift) system, with a 56-hour work week instead of a 45-hour work week.
This means a 15% shift allowance is paid to firefighters for excess hours' work.
Projections at Electrotechnical Services show that the overtime budget will be exceeded by R2 731 356 if the current service delivery level continues.
Vacancies in Community Services for refuse removal caused workers to work overtime to the amount of R95 000.
George Mayor Melvin Naik has reached out to provincial treasury for help on the matter.
"Seeing that we can't improve on managing overtime, I've decided to engage provincial treasury to assist in scrutinising our internal audit report on overtime," he said in his address to Council.
DA Councillor Mercia Draghoender said the budget for overtime will have to be adjusted.
"When the budget committee sat, we cut nearly three quarters of our overtime budget."
She said a decision will have to be taken on the service level standards of the municipality.
"If a pipe bursts in for instance Loeriepark, people can't wait, they must go immediately and repair that. I want to state that the overtime budget for electrotechnical services was cut by 41% for the year 17/18.
"The overtime work in this directorate is directly linked to after-hours power failures and complaints received."
Regarding the traffic department, Draghoender said in order to render a better service, the driver's licence department was opened on a Saturday, resulting in more overtime.
"With the implementation of an improved electronic management system, it will certainly enhance control and assist with overtime management," said Draghoender.
Draghoender said a clock system, a dedicated person working only on overtime, and better communication would ensure better overtime management.
DA Councillor Mercia Draghoender says the Environmental Services Department is working with trucks that are 21 years old and does not have a budget to buy new ones. "We bought two code 14 trucks, and all the drivers at Community Services have only a code 10 license. Those two new trucks are just standing there." Photo: Michelle Pienaar
Opposition on overtime
"We need to stop this overtime monster," said ANC chief whip, Nomawethu Jantjies. She said the mayor is passing the buck by taking this issue to provincial treasury.
"The buck is with him," she said, adding that he must take it up with Municipal Manager Trevor Botha.
ACDP Councillor Johan du Toit said council is just talking about the problem, but taking no action.
"I am so glad the chairperson of finance announced that an in-depth investigation has to be conducted."
He said it's very important to look at staff shortages and to appoint people within the budget restrictions.
FF Plus Councillor Gert van Niekerk asked how the current vacancy percentage within the municipality of 53% influences overtime payouts. He said Civil Engineering has a staff shortage of 62% in their sanitation division.
George Mayor Melvin Naik has reached out to Provincial Treasury for help with overtime management.
"Unfortunately this has a spiral effect," said Van Niekerk. "Where there is a shortage of personnel and people are being forced to work overtime, they book off sick because they don't want to work overtime, or they just stay away, and that increases the number of absentees.
"This is a management process that urgently needs to be addressed."
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