Showdown looms over KZN Public Works non-payment to contractors

A showdown is looming between KZN Public Works and angry contractors over outstanding payments.

The affected group is set to protest outside the Department's office in Pietermaritzburg next Tuesday - and have vowed more action if their concerns are not addressed.

"The president has said clearly service providers must be paid within 30 days yet we are not being paid. This MEC cannot hide behind sub contractors not having a contract with the Department because main contractors who have that contract are not being paid too so cannot pay sub contractors," spokesperson for the group and a main contractor herself, Lungile Zuma told IOL.

Her comments come amid an announcement by provincial Public Works MEC, Martin Meyer, this week that his department had settled outstanding debt to contractors to the tune of over R500 000 over the past few weeks.

"I really do understand their situation but it is a challenge for us as the reality is these are sub contractors who don't have any contracts with our department. We are trying to play catch up in meeting our obligations to pay contractors within 30 days but it is difficult. We inherited a lot of issues which we now trying to address but it's a long road ahead. I have requested all the invoices and will go through them," Meyer told IOL in response.

Key to the deadlock over payments is also the debt owed by other departments to Public Works - adding to the financial woes of Public Works and their ability to meet their financial commitments.

But, with hungry bellies come angry people and the contractors are not giving up. "This department is driven by government policy of 30% community participation goals. If they cannot pay for this then they must go to parliament to have this changed. We can't be expected to do the work when councillors call on us and then when we need payment we are told we don't have a contract with the department," added an emotional Zuma.