DA Slams ANC for Contempt in Dihlabeng Labour Court Judgement Delay
Bethlehem – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State has accused the African National Congress (ANC) caucus in Dihlabeng Municipality of contempt for failing to implement a Labour Court judgement within the required 30 days. In a statement released on Thursday, DA Councillor Hilton Maasdorp said the ANC’s decision shows a disregard for the rule of law and continues to lead to irregular expenditure. The judgement involves five municipal workers who have been on contract for nearly 15 years, highlighting ongoing issues with employment practices in the municipality. The DA says it rallied opposition parties to support compliance, but the ANC is dragging its feet. This dispute comes amid broader concerns about governance in Dihlabeng, where financial mismanagement has drawn scrutiny from auditors and residents alike. As the municipality grapples with service delivery backlogs, this case underscores the need for accountability to protect workers and public funds.
The Labour Court Judgement and Its Implications
The Labour Court ruled in favour of the five workers, who argued their long-term contracts amounted to unfair labour practices and contributed to irregular spending. The judgement orders the municipality to get endorsement from the Municipal Council and update the Staff Establishment to make their positions permanent. This would end the cycle of short-term deals that have cost taxpayers dearly.
Dihlabeng spends over R3 million per month on salaries now seen as irregular because of these contracts. The workers, some in key roles like administration and maintenance, have served for almost 15 years without full benefits or job security. The court saw this as a breach of labour laws, which aim to protect employees from endless temporary work.
The DA says this ruling is a win for fairness, but the ANC’s delay keeps the problem going. If not fixed, it could lead to more legal fights and financial waste. Auditors have flagged similar issues in Dihlabeng before, with irregular expenditure hitting R200 million in the 2023/24 financial year, mostly from bad procurement and contract handling.
DA’s Push for Compliance and Opposition Unity
The DA caucus took the lead in Council, convincing all opposition parties to vote for supporting the judgement. This rare unity shows how the DA can bring groups together for good governance. “This achievement highlights the DA’s ability to foster unity and cross-party cooperation,” Maasdorp said.
In contrast, the ANC caucus is accused of misleading Council and stalling. The DA calls this contempt, as the 30-day deadline has passed without action. This could open the door to court fines or more cases against the municipality. Residents in areas like Bethlehem and Clarens have voiced frustration, saying poor management hurts services like water and roads.
Dihlabeng has faced other governance woes, like a 2024 audit report showing weak controls and unpaid suppliers. The municipality’s debt to Eskom tops R500 million, leading to power cuts that hurt local businesses. Fixing contract issues could help clean up finances and build trust.
ANC’s Stance and Broader Political Tensions
The ANC has not yet responded to the DA’s claims, but past statements show they see the judgement as complex and needing careful steps. They argue rushing could lead to more costs if not done right. However, critics say this is just an excuse to avoid change.
This spat reflects bigger fights in Free State politics, where the ANC holds power but faces growing opposition from the DA and others. In Dihlabeng, the ANC has a slim majority, making cross-party votes key for big decisions. The DA has used this to push for probes into spending and better services.
Workers’ rights groups have backed the judgement, saying long contracts exploit people and break laws. Unions like COSATU have called for quick fixes across municipalities, where thousands face similar issues.
Impact on Municipal Workers and Residents
For the five workers, the delay means more uncertainty. They risk losing jobs or facing cuts if the municipality drags on. Broader, it shows how bad contracts waste money that could go to fixing potholes or building clinics.
Residents pay the price through poor services. Dihlabeng’s clean audit in 2022 turned sour by 2024 with unqualified opinions and findings on waste. The DA wants more oversight, like regular reports on judgements, to stop repeats.
As the story develops, eyes are on whether the ANC will act or face more heat. The DA vows to keep pushing for the rule of law, saying good governance helps everyone. For Dihlabeng’s people, this fight is about fair jobs and a municipality that works for all.
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