Government has sought to explain the R300 million set aside to pay once-off gratuity payouts to unseated and non-returning councillors following the November 4 local government elections.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa says that the money is meant to help councillors adjust to being without jobs.
“This once-off gratuity started in 2011, and it was paid from 2016 to 2021. This is the last one; it’s not going to continue going forward. Why this money has been in place, is to cushion, allow councillors who lost their seats, to adjust back to normal life, because some will have to start looking for a job. Most of them are still very young; they have family commitments, so this is just to help them as a short relief.”
X |@SABCNews_Radio | [COMING UP] COGTA Ministry confirms once-off payout for councillors who lost seats in recent municipal elections to help them transition out of public office #SABCNews #FirstTakeSA https://t.co/qlYrpTvCAz
— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) November 11, 2026