Discontent and despair are growing among workers of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in the Hanover Park, Mitchells Plain, and Manenberg areas due to alleged non-payment of wages for six weeks. This forces families already struggling to borrow money to afford food.
Community activist Yumna Alexander expressed serious concern over the supposed payment delay, accusing the City of Cape Town's Parks and Recreation Department of neglecting the needs of vulnerable workers who continue to show up for work despite financial hardship.
Workers allegedly haven't received salaries for six weeks
According to Alexander, workers earn only 145 rand per day, an amount that is difficult for many households to make ends meet on. With the alleged six-week delay in payments, families have found themselves in an even more difficult financial situation.
Alexander noted that people live from paycheck to paycheck, describing the devastating impact of missed payments on households where every rand matters. She added that workers have had to take out loans for necessities and then face the need to repay these debts when their salary finally arrives.
The consequences of this situation extend beyond the workers themselves.
Unpaid wages push families into debt traps
Married individuals wait for their husbands to bring money home, mothers rely on children to buy bread and milk, and young families struggle to afford basic necessities like diapers. Alexander warned that the financial pressure causes tension within families, leaving providers feeling helpless despite fulfilling their job duties.
What she finds particularly alarming is that the workers maintain an unwavering commitment to their jobs. Alexander emphasized that these workers continue to show up for work every day, with some arriving before the scheduled start time and staying after the shift ends.
Workers continue to show up for work
Despite their dedication, she claims that workers fear becoming victims of reprisal for publicly discussing the payment delays. It is reported that affected workers have received repeated assurances over the past three weeks that their arrears would be settled.
In an update on October 26, Alexander stated that workers were promised the money by Saturday morning, October 31. However, this stated commitment has not been independently confirmed by the City. Alexander also claims that correspondence sent to relevant municipal departments and political offices has gone unanswered.
She stated: 'We must push the City to a point where we can hold them accountable.'
City urged to explain payment delays
These accusations come against the backdrop of the City's recent announcement of creating over 203,000 temporary jobs under the EPWP program over five fiscal years. The City describes this program as a vital source of income and work experience for unemployed residents.
However, Alexander questions how a poverty-alleviation program can achieve its goal if workers allegedly cannot receive their earned wages. The City is now under pressure to confirm the number of affected workers, explain the reason for the alleged six-week delay, and clarify whether the necessary financial support has been allocated. The publication Cape Argus contacted the City, but the City of Cape Town responded that it had received the request and was reviewing the details.
