The protest by more than 100 people follows after a meeting with the Head of the Department (HOD) of Cooperative Governance (Cogta), Mokete Duma, and acting City Manager (CM), Mzingisi Nkungwana, on Friday. Workers on Friday told OFM News they are yet to receive their salaries for February whilst those who got paid in January only received half of their salaries. The protesters, who are using cars to block all the entrances, have caused a halt to services since no one can enter or exit the premises. Duma previously said several issues resulted in the late payments to political staff. Staff members who spoke to OFM News say they were set to receive sms notifications of the payments but they are yet to receive that.

However, in an interview with OFM News over the weekend, Duma said some of these issues include the fact that proper recruitment processes in hiring them were never followed.

Also Read: Mangaung Metro employees to be paid

The political staff is continuing to sing and chant struggle songs in an act of protest against the non-payment by the metro.

Frustrated residents have been unable to leave the building and the premises as the protest continues. There is no sight of management on the ground to address the grievance of workers.

Some workers have positioned themselves at security entrances.  

Nkungwana is yet to respond to a detailed OFM News inquiry about the payments not made.

OFM News