GEORGE NEWS - The new South African Local Government Association's (Salga) circular about improved perks for councillors has come under fire following its approval by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Des van Rooyen.

National spokesperson for the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu), Papikie Mohale, told the George Herald that Samwu's argument is, "If municipalities can afford to splash out on these perks, they can surely afford the demanded 15% wage increase as well as R10 000 minimum wage for the next municipal financial year which commences on 1 July."

Samwu George chairperson Sandile Lingali said, "We are aware of the adjustments as proposed by Salga. Samwu members in George will discuss the proposed adjustments and issue a statement in the near future."

George chairperson of the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu), Nolan Nomdoe, said, "At this stage we do not want to comment but will issue a full statement later." 

The key features as lobbied for by Salga are to increase the sitting allowance for councillors by 6% from R962 per day to R1 020 per day; standardising cellphone allowances to R3 400 for all councillors; re-introduction of the mayoral residence as a housing benefit for executive mayors where it used to exist; re-introduction of the use of council-owned vehicle and travel allowances; formalising the inclusion of laptops as "tools of trade" for part-time councillors; providing of tablets as alternatives to laptops and the formalising of personal security to executive mayors and speakers, without a threat analysis. 

The execution of the proposed amendments as contained in the upper limits circular notice may not be implemented by a municipality before the respective municipal council has considered the circular and has resolved on the levels of remuneration which will apply in the municipality.

'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'