WORKERS in the Greater Tubatse municipality near Burgersfort in Limpopo yesterday embarked on a strike following the municipality's failure to pay their salaries.

The salaries of managers and directors at the municipality could not be paid on payday (June 20), while junior employees only got paid late on the day.

Whispers doing the rounds claim the municipality has run out of funds and is trying to negotiate a bank overdraft.

In March this year the municipality received a windfall from the Sekhukhune district municipality of R5million, which was channelled into salaries and other services.

But three months down the line the council is said to be failing to pay its workforce.

Aubrey Ngoatle, a Pan Africanist Congress councillor, said there was a financial crisis at the municipality.

"When management realised the problem they should have at least convened a special council meeting to discuss ways to get out of the situation," he said.

Ngoatle put the blame squarely on the municipal manager's shoulders, saying it was clear he was not qualified to handle the job and should therefore vacate the position.

Approached for comment yesterday, municipal manager Lemon Phala said payments were being made in dribs and drabs due to the municipality's financial crisis.

He said he had handed a report to the executive council where the financial situation of the municipality was explained.

"The council has been aware of the situation at the municipality for some time. Municipalities, unlike other spheres of government, have budget estimates based on the history of payments," he said in reference to how people had been paying for services.

Phala said they were owed R71million and would force clients to make payments to get out of the current situation.