Yes, the contents of the letter were brought to my attention.
(a) and (b) Yes, the then Acting Director-General of the Department was copied in the letter.
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) is a registered employer organisation in the bargaining council designated for municipalities in terms of section 30 of the Labour Relations Act, 1995, representing municipalities that are affiliated to it in the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC). As regards, the National Treasury’ request for SALGA to apply for exemption of municipal employees from the 2020/21 annual salary increases, the letter conform to the labour laws of the Republic. It is incumbent upon SALGA in its capacity as the employer representative to use its internal protocols to consult with the relevant municipalities or the mandating structures before embarking on the application referred to in National Treasury’ letter.
End.
Clause 11 of the 2018 - 2021 Salary and Wage Collective Agreement concluded on 15 August 2018 read in conjunction with the Constitution of the SALGBC impose an obligation on municipalities applying for exemptions to lodge their applications with the General-Secretary of the Council and to forward copies to the national offices of the Independent Municipal Allied Workers Union (IMATU) and the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), not the Minister.