The ANC-run Impendle local municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands has, for the umpteenth time, failed to pay staff salaries on time.

This is the third time in nine months the municipality has failed to pay the salaries on time, leaving its employees stressed. Salaries were first delayed in April of last year, followed by another late payment in May.

The municipality was supposed to pay January 2026 salaries by Thursday, 22 January 2026. As of 26 January 2026, employees had still not received their wages.

According to sources within the cash-strapped municipality, it appears salaries will not be paid anytime soon.

“There is no indication from the management when the salaries will be paid, they have not said anything. While they are mum, our debit orders are not honored and we are being penalised,” a source said.

Last month, the employees had a bleak festive season as their salaries were only paid towards the end of December following an intervention by the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA).

The municipality is yet to officially comment on the topical matter.