‘I Haven’t Been Paid Either’: Mbalula confirms ANC salary backlogs but claims issue fixed

ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula has revealed that he is among the employees whose salary payments at Luthuli House remain outstanding, but insists the issue has been resolved and staff no longer plan to protest over unpaid wages.

“Non-payment of staff has been attended to and has been resolved as we speak. There was an intention to protest given the issue of salaries, but that matter has been attended to,” Mbalula told reporters during a media briefing on Sunday.

“The component of staff that is not paid is management, starting with me, the secretary general,” he added.

Mbalula was providing an update on preparations for the ANC’s 5th National General Council (NGC), which will run from December 8 to 12, 2025.

“All our staff below have been attended to in terms of salaries. We are working on resolving this issue through our rigorous fundraising efforts to ensure that our staff bill is settled,” he said.

Mbalula revealed that the ANC’s salary bill amounts to roughly R20 million per month.

“We are intending to work around it to ensure that this mishap of non-payment is resolved. It does not give us a good image as an organisation, and we intend to resolve it permanently using our fundraising mechanisms,” he said.

He added that the party continues to rely on donors, but contributions have declined.

“It is no longer like before. One person is allowed to donate only up to a particular figure. Donors dry up because the financial situation and the bill we are running is very high.”

Mbalula argued that the political funding model, which regulates donations to parties, has had a negative impact on the ANC.

“Other parties are very small, so they are not negatively affected. As you increase your maturity, you increase your staff component, and the salary bill goes up. So we have to work out mechanisms of proper funding for the African National Congress going forward.”

He said the planned staff protest had been averted after management engaged employees and addressed their concerns.

Mbalula’s comments followed reports that hundreds of ANC staff were distressed as debit orders bounced after the party again failed to pay November salaries. 

According to reports, a letter dated November 29, from ANC general manager Patrick Flusk informed employees that their salaries would be delayed and paid in “staggered” phases.

No explanation was provided, reports said.

This was reportedly the third time this year that the ANC has failed to pay staff at its headquarters on time, with similar delays recorded in February and October, including for senior personnel.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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