Workers building a park at Forestdale downed tools after the company that hired them failed to pay up. Young people had been hired by the Municipality, through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to build the park near the community hall.
The tender was awarded to Isibani Solwazi of Tholeni, near Wasbank by the Department of Environmental Affairs. Workers said they had been earning R82 a day but had not been paid since September.
Local Councillor, Thoko Makaba, received complaints and Mayor Thulani Mahaye was dispatched to intervene. While there, Mayor Mahaye was confronted with a flood of additional grievances including workers not been given safety gloves and other equipment.
The matter is expected to be resolved when the owner of the company that received the tender returns from abroad.