The African National Congress (ANC) is feeling the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with staff salaries delayed for a second time this year.
Staff members received messages that June salaries had been delayed.
On Tuesday, ANC general manager Febe Potgieter wrote to staff to say their June salaries will only be paid on 6 July. She also apologized for the delay and said it was unintentional as the party was feeling the economic effects of Covid-19.
Potgieter wrote:
We regret to inform you that the June salaries will be further delayed than anticipated, and will only be paid by latest Monday, 6 July 2020. We kindly request you to make the necessary arrangements with banks and other creditors. Our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience this caused, but do accept that this is not intentional, but as a result of the national crisis in the country.
Following media queries into the issue, the party’s national spokesperson Pule Mabe said the matter is being looked into by the Treasurer General. The statement reads:
The matter of salaries for staff members is receiving attention from the Treasurer General, Comrade Paul Mashatile. Staff members have been duly informed of the delay in this regard including on a day when salaries will be paid.
This is not the first time the ANC has failed to pay staff salaries.
In January, Mashatile denied that the party had difficulty paying employees. At the time Mashatile said:
Since I have been there as treasurer-general, to date there is no month when ANC people have not been paid. There is a story that we won’t pay people in January because we are wasting money on January 8. There is no such thing. We have always had the January 8 statement and rallies. As soon as we are done with rallies, come month end we pay our people.
An ANC NEC member who spoke to News24 said donations to the party had decreased amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Articles You May Want To Read: