More than 30 Shaka’s Head residents have not been paid after working for almost three months in the settlement sanitization programme, although the human settlement department has promised to make good.

Nonsalelo Zulu said they were employed in early June and they could not get an answer as to why they are not being paid.

“We are working hard, we carry litres of chemicals around Shaka’s Head. Some have left work to look for something else.”

She said many of them had debts because they had bought food on credit, promising to pay when they themselves got paid.

Despite visits from a number of different officials from the human settlement department, there has been no change.

“The most recent explanation we got was that the department was still looking for a service provider to take over the programme and we will be paid by the service provider.

“But why should we not be paid for the days that we have worked and let the service provider take over the days that we will be working going forward?” asked another resident, who was nervous she would lose her job if she was named.

The residents say they were promised R150 a day and have worked 44 days so far, bringing the amount owed to R6 600 per person.

Residents of Ntshawini and Melville in the same employment programme have also not been paid.

KZN human settlement spokesperson, Mbulelo Baloyi confirmed the stipend payment delay for all settlements that fall within Phase 2 of the sanitization programme.

“The department recently finalised the appointment of a service provider who will be assisting with the management of the programme, including the payment of stipends. A list of all settlements under Ilembe District that was submitted to the service provider on Wednesday, August 12.

The service provider received the award letter yesterday (August 13) and is busy processing all payments submitted. Hopefully, between today and Monday, the service provider will begin the process of paying the stipends to the eligible beneficiaries,” said Baloyi.