'We are fed up with empty promises’

Angry Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) contract workers who claim they have not been paid for three months blocked Japhta Masemola Road in Khayelitsha with rubbish last week.

The close to 20 workers claimed their employer, Mbolompo Construction, a city contractor, had not paid them their wages since they started working at the beginning of the year

The workers had been contracted to clean the streets and local parks, but last Friday and Saturday they blocked the road to show their frustration.

They claimed that their employer had backtracked on several promises to pay them.

“We closed the road to express our grievances to the municipality and the government, so they can seriously address our issues. We are fed up with empty promises from the employer,” said one of the protesters, Neziswa Sandi.

“The EPWP is a City project so they must provide answers or take the tender from this man."

She said some of the workers' funeral policies had lapsed because they had been unable to keep up with the payments as a result of not getting their wages.

The workers' supervisor, Bongiwe Lasini, who was among the protesters, said their dreams of providing for their families lay in tatters.

"Look at us now. The policies have lapsed. Children go to school hungry. There is nothing we can do for ourselves. We are an embarrassment to our children because we told them we are working, but we cannot provide,” she said.

City spokesman Luthando Tyhalibongo said they were following due process to apply penalties to the contractor and working urgently to resolve the issue in the interests of the workers.

The contractor had a responsibility to ensure it had enough cash reserves to pay workers, he said.

The contractor had started in January and invoiced the City at the end of January, he said.

“Standard turnaround time for payment of the invoice is 30 days after submission, and the contractor is aware of this. Failure to provide the required daily EPWP documentation, including proof of payment of workers, to the City can result in a penalty of R1 000 per day. The City is working with the contractor to facilitate a speedy resolution to this matter."

Vukani was unable to source a response from the owner of Mbolompo Construction by deadline. Calls to his cellphone went unanswered.