Contractors in eThekwini are grappling with delayed payments for essential services, leading to financial insecurity and frustration.
Image: Sipho Jack
Scores of contractors responsible for maintaining water infrastructure across Durban downed tools on Monday to vent their frustrations over not being paid for months by the eThekwini Municipality for services rendered.
The contractors claimed the outstanding dues from the entity, which in some instances date back to October, have left them on the edge of financial disaster, with their livelihoods at risk.
They said the city’s poor communication and administrative deficiencies had caused their hardship, alleging that when they raised queries, they were sent from one department to another without any resolution.
In response to the Daily News, the municipality maintained that its payment systems were functioning efficiently, but that contractors had failed to adhere to the relevant administrative processes.
The protesters gathered outside the Florence Mkhize Building on Anton Lembede Street in the CBD, where the municipality’s treasury, revenue management and customer services departments are located. They intended to speak to the relevant finance heads about the payment blockages.
Chaos erupted when some of the contractors entered the building, forcing security personnel on duty to shut the entrance gates. Additional police officers arrived at the scene and calmed tensions.
Contractors who managed to enter the building eventually spoke to an official, who allegedly told them that the relevant paperwork had not been received from the city’s water and sanitation department, and that payments had therefore not been processed.
Some of the protesters then moved to the city’s water and sanitation department offices on KE Masinga Road in search of answers, but were unsuccessful.
The disgruntled contractors said they were not prepared to return to work until their outstanding dues were paid.
Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, a contractor said: “We haven’t been paid, yet we’ve been doing the work. In January, they did make some payment, but some of us still have outstanding invoices from December.”
He said many others were facing the same situation and believed that administrative failures within the municipality had resulted in the unpaid dues.
The source added that when they queried payments, they were sent back and forth between the finance department and management, receiving only excuses.
“We have all the necessary documents that validate our claims. Clearly, someone is misleading us.
“We fix all the leaks in the eThekwini region, but we are unable to meet our fuel, insurance and wage bills. We are working without compensation.”
He said the complications stemmed from the municipality’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) policies, which require order numbers for all work assignments.
“They call us for shifts, but ask for order numbers that we weren’t given. When we query this, the municipality tells us they are waiting for order numbers, which directly contradicts their own policies.”
The source said poor communication by the municipality on payment matters had worsened their challenges.
“They ask for proof that we did the job, like before-and-after pictures, but that was never clearly communicated to us,” the contractor said.
Another contractor, Phumezo Jali, said he had outstanding dues dating back to December.
“We work, we submit the invoices, and then we are not paid. Now we are unable to pay our assistants,” he said.
Another contractor, who asked not to be named, said: “We are being sent from pillar to post without clear answers, as no one at the municipality has stepped forward to take accountability for the situation.
“If the city has run out of money, they need to tell us.”
Municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said the city would embark on comprehensive training for service providers to strengthen compliance with invoicing and documentation requirements.
Sisilana said the initiative forms part of the city’s ongoing efforts to streamline processes, enhance payment efficiency, and ensure that all invoice submissions meet the necessary standards.
“The municipality reaffirms its commitment to paying service providers timeously, provided all claims submitted are legitimate, fully substantiated, and supported by the required documentation.
“The city continues to process payments on a weekly basis, in line with its established financial procedures.
“Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are paid within 14 days, while other service providers are paid within 30 days, subject to the submission of correct and complete documentation.
“In cases where payments exceed the 30-day period, delays are typically due to disputes, incorrect or incomplete invoices, missing supporting documents, or identified irregularities.”
To further enhance efficiency and transparency, Sisilana said the municipality had finalised an online invoice submission system that allows service providers to submit invoices electronically, track payment progress in real time, and significantly reduce the need for walk-ins and manual follow-ups.
DAILY NEWS