Tensions are rising in Pretoria as a group of frustrated subcontractors involved in the Lynwood Road project saga is threatening drastic action after not being paid for months.
They’re planning a sit-in at the City of Tshwane offices if their demands aren’t met.
One of the subcontractors, Fridah Tshabalala, says their hard work has gone uncompensated, while the primary contractor was allegedly paid upfront before any work even began in December 2024.
Community Liaison Officer Helen Alpino says workers were paid this past weekend, and the project will continue.
The group accuses the Tshwane Metro of violating the Municipal Finance Management Act, and they’re demanding immediate intervention.
The group adds that they have other subcontractors, and their vehicles have been repossessed. “One of our guys has been pawning the vehicle to make a living. But unfortunately, up to today, the vehicles are still at the pawn shop. We don’t know whether we are going to be able to release their cars or not. This thing is very frustrating, and some of us have children who must use public transport to school every day. We do not even have the money to load bus tickets so that they can go to school.”