Security guards shut down Sosh school due to non-payment of wages
“The matter has been resolved. Payment has been made and the money should reflect in their account by May 4,” says Gauteng education department spokesperson Steve Mabona.
It was unclear whether a local school had reopened on Wednesday after a group of security guards prevented teachers from entering the premises the day before as part of a wage dispute protest.
Twenty-four guards at the Filadafia Secondary School demanded they be paid three months of outstanding wages.
They claimed they were last paid in January.
The private security company, which employs them, had allegedly terminated their contracts, they claimed.
Ignatious Baloyi, a security guard at the school, said they are waiting for their outstanding wages and would not leave until they received them.
“We want our salaries and then we will go our separate ways. We were never told anything about contracts being ended, so we want the money we worked for. What they are doing to us is very painful.”
Another worker, Elizabeth Mmene, said they would not open the gates for teachers on Tuesday “until our salaries are paid in full”.
Mmene said she has been waking up every day since the end of February hoping that her salary would be paid.
“We are also in debt right now because we have been borrowing money to come to work hoping that we would get paid.
“It is much better not being employed because you know you are not expecting anything at the end of the month. We would have never made debts if we were unemployed.”
South African Cleaners, Security and Allied Workers Union (Sacsau) spokesperson Andries Diphaphang said their members had not been paid.
Diphaphang said their members would be continuing with the strike until they are paid what is due to them.
When Rekord contacted the private security company we were told workers would get paid once the company had received payment from the education department.
Gauteng education department spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that a security company was on strike due to non-payment.
“The matter has been resolved,” he said.
“Payment has been made and the money should reflect in their account by May 4.
“It is regrettable that this led to a disruption at the school which should be condemned. We can still resolve any challenge without disrupting schooling.”
ALSO READ: Three opposing Eersterust councillors unite to improve the area for all
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
