The R631-million Siyenza toilet scandal has bankrupted both the Amathole District Municipality and thousands of families.
Contractors took out loans to do the work, but Siyenza had not paid them since last April. Some have lost their houses and vehicles, and some have watched helplessly as their children were “chased out” of school because they could not afford fees.
An East London subcontractor who refused to be identified for fear of victimisation said they owed hundreds of thousands in salaries to over 4000 people in villages in the Mbhashe, Mnquma, Ngqqushwa, Amahlathi, Nkonkobe and Great Kei municipalities.
Worst hit were emerging companies whose members had suffered “severe emotional, psychological and financial strain” as a result of the nonpayment. “Our homes and cars get repossessed day in and day out.”
Another contractor who also asked to remain anonymous for the same reasons, said he had lost two bakkies and his daughter was “suspended” from an East London primary school.
“This situation has stripped many of us of our dignity, while some fear for their lives because of threats we get from people to whom we still owe salaries,” he said.
Contractor Thami Dyakalashe said: “The banks are on our cases, with threatening phone calls and letters every day. We have nothing at all” — asandan@dispatch.co.za
Mayor says toilet scandal ‘bankrupted us’
Contractors took out loans to do the work, but Siyenza had not paid them since last April. Some have lost their houses and vehicles, and some have watched helplessly as their children were “chased out” of school because they could not afford fees.
An East London subcontractor who refused to be identified for fear of victimisation said they owed hundreds of thousands in salaries to over 4000 people in villages in the Mbhashe, Mnquma, Ngqqushwa, Amahlathi, Nkonkobe and Great Kei municipalities.
Worst hit were emerging companies whose members had suffered “severe emotional, psychological and financial strain” as a result of the nonpayment. “Our homes and cars get repossessed day in and day out.”
Another contractor who also asked to remain anonymous for the same reasons, said he had lost two bakkies and his daughter was “suspended” from an East London primary school.
“This situation has stripped many of us of our dignity, while some fear for their lives because of threats we get from people to whom we still owe salaries,” he said.
Contractor Thami Dyakalashe said: “The banks are on our cases, with threatening phone calls and letters every day. We have nothing at all” — asandan@dispatch.co.za
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