GroundUp reports that security guards have been protesting outside a project to build pavements in Illitha Park, Khayelitsha since Monday over their unpaid wages.

On Tuesday morning, the guards prevented construction workers from leaving or completing their duties at the site. The guards demanded that Sibakulu Guarding Division pay their October salaries. Protester Andiswa Machicila, a guard with Sibakulu, explained: “We told [the workers] we will allow them in, but we won’t let them out. We have no money to buy food for our families … I’m hungry.” Unable to complete their duties, the construction workers started burning tyres as they too had not been paid.

The CIty of Cape Town has contracted Triple C Maintenance and Services to build the pavements. Triple C has in turn subcontracted three companies, including Sibakulu for security. It appears all three subcontractors have either paid their workers late or failed to pay them. Sibakulu’s Moses Ndlovu pleaded with the guards to continue working and promised they would be paid on Wednesday. Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility, said the City had investigated the matter found that the non-payment was because the sub-contractors submitted their invoices late. This issue has been resolved, and the project and operations resumed, Quintas said.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Vincent Lali at GroundUp

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