The Thembelihle Local Municipality, anchored in the towns of Strydenburg and Hopetown in the Northern Cape, has informed its employees that it won’t be able to pay their salaries when they become due on Friday, 25 April 2025.

This is the second time this year the municipality has failed to pay the salaries on time. The first time was last month.

The distressed staff was informed of the mishap via a memo which was signed off by the Municipal Manager, KG Gaborone. Gaborone said the municipality is facing “severe financial difficulties.”

“It is with great regret to inform you that due to severe financial difficulties currently being experienced by Thembelihle Local Municipality, payment of salaries for the month of April 2025 will be delayed.

“Councillors and management of Thembelihle fully acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause to everyone and assure you that we are actively working on resolving this matter as soon as possible and finding permanent solutions.

“We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during these challenging times. Should there be any further updates we will communicate it through the proper channels. Thank you for your understanding and commitment to serve our community,” reads the memo from Gaborone, dated 23 April 2025.

When the municipality failed to pay salaries last month, it said it was because it was still waiting for its equitable share allocation from the National Treasury. This time around, no specific reason was given for the failure to pay the salaries on time.