LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: Joburg accused of using workers as ‘political pawns’ in last-minute wage deal
A last-minute multibillion-rand deal that affects an estimated 35,000 municipal workers is something the City of Johannesburg can’t afford and, according to experts, smacks of underhanded electioneering by the ANC in the lead-up to the elections.
The City of Johannesburg has faced criticism for signing a multibillion-rand wage agreement with municipal workers just hours before the 2026 local elections, with experts and civic organizations accusing the ANC of treating workers as "political pawns." The agreement, which affects an estimated 35,000 municipal workers, involves contemplated payments between R1.2-billion and R5-billion, with the exact timing, financing, and remaining outstanding amounts not disclosed by the City.
Critics argue that such a last-minute deal could burden the incoming administration and compromise service delivery, while also failing to provide adequate wage adjustments for the majority of municipal workers.
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