Ulundi, 27 January 2026 – The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has intervened following the failure of the Impendle Local Municipality to pay employee salaries for January 2026.
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has expressed deep concern regarding the municipality’s severe financial distress and its repeated inability to meet financial obligations. This follows a similar default in May 2025 and a narrowly averted crisis in December 2025.
“We sympathise deeply with the workers and their families who are once again facing uncertainty. It is unacceptable that the municipality has repeatedly failed to pay salaries on time since May 2025,” said MEC Buthelezi.
The Department’s assessment confirms a critical liquidity crisis.
As of 31 December 2025, the municipality held a closing bank balance of only R1.9 million against unspent conditional grants of R24 million.
Consequently, the municipality cannot cash-back its grants, has incurred unauthorised expenditure, and is unable to service its debts or operational costs.
MEC TO ADDRESS COUNCIL
In a direct move to restore stability and demand accountability, MEC Buthelezi will personally visit the municipality to engage the leadership directly.
Details of the visit are as follows:
* Date: Wednesday, 28 January 2026
* Time: 12:00 midday
* Venue: Impendle Local Municipality Offices, Impendle
Members of the media are invited to report and cover this important oversight visit.
Ends.
