Protest erupts in Kempton Park over months of unpaid municipal workers

The Kempton Park Residents Forum (KPRF) led a protest at the Kempton Park Civic Centre on June 10 in support of workers who claim they have gone several months without receiving payment.

According to KPRF chairperson Xolani Sithole, frustrated workers approached contractors to enquire about the delays in payment.

He alleged that contractors informed them that the municipality had not paid them for the past five months.

ALSO READ: EMPD and SAPS monitoring Kempton Park protest action

Sithole claimed this had forced some contractors to pay workers from their own pockets until those funds were exhausted, resulting in some workers being paid late and others not being paid at all.

He further alleged that some workers had been referred to the Treasury offices in Germiston regarding payment issues.

“This is not fair. These workers have to pay rent and feed their families. Workers have children who are writing exams on an empty stomach.

“The municipality needs to release the funds and pay the workers on time,” said Sithole.

Community leader Seponye Mampona alleged that payment-related issues began last year when payments for contractors working on the Kempton Park swimming pool project were made via EFT.

ALSO READ: Learners protest over lack of arrests in schoolgirl murder case

He further claimed that workers received letters indicating that their wages would be reduced from the agreed R301 per day to R225 per day for a period of five years.

Mampona also alleged that rumours that workers and contractors were required to pay bribes to have funds released had been circulating, further contributing to frustration among those affected.

“We are working under the EPWP rate instead of being paid industry wages for civil engineering because they say it is for job creation and poverty alleviation, but now they are no longer paying us.

“They must get the money or put the contract on hold. You can’t use our people and not pay them. If you don’t have the funds, don’t hire people,” said Sithole.

Affected worker Lulama Msimang shared her frustration over the matter.

“We have children depending on us. We are working for them. As I speak right now, I am hungry. We are hungry as workers. The municipality should release the funds and pay us. We are tired now,” said Msimang.

The forum said it would continue seeking answers and planned to take its protest to the municipal offices in Germiston.

The City of Ekurhuleni was asked to comment on the allegations made. At the time of going to print, no comment was received.