The latest ruling by the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) on backdated salary increases for Tshwane Metro employees could spell a financial disaster amounting to nearly R2 billion for the Metro.
The SALGBC confirmed on 1 November 2025 that increases of 3,5% are backdated from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 – the final year of the three-year collective agreement.
This ruling comes as no surprise, given that the Bargaining Council comprises representatives from the trade unions SAMWU and IMATU, and the Local Government Association, SALGA, which remains under full ANC control. The leaves little doubt that political considerations, rather than financial reality, influenced this decision.
During the illegal SAMWU strike in 2023, the current ActionSA/ANC/EFF coalition’s conduct already jeopardised the Metro’s financial sustainability. They expressed support for SAMWU’s demands and indicated support for salary increases, regardless of what it would cost the Metro and its residents.
If the ruling ANC/EFF/ActionSA coalition accepts and implements these increases, it would be a populist decision aimed at the upcoming municipal elections, at the expense of Tshwane’s financial survival and sustainable service delivery.
In addition, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) wishes to point out that the Bargaining Council failed to consider the Metro’s actual financial circumstances. This ruling will render the Metro’s so-called “funded budget” completely unfunded.
Should the current coalition execute this ruling, they must bear full responsibility for the financial collapse that will inevitably follow.
The Freedom Front Plus is, therefore, imploring the coalition to take a responsible decision and not drive the Metro over the financial edge of ruin.
The party demands that the Tshwane Metro immediately refer this matter to the Labour Court, so that the dispute can be resolved based on sound, financially justifiable grounds – as was the case with the 2023/24 budget, when it was clear that the proposed increases were unaffordable.
In fact, it was the previous coalition administration, of which the Freedom Front Plus was part, that took the difficult, but responsible decision not to approve unsustainable salary increases.
It was a step that brought the Metro closer to financial stability and possible recovery. These steps in the right direction are now being erased by political opportunism.
