SERAGENG
A group of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers in Serageng Village, Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM) Ward 30, say they are still owed four months stipends after working.
The workers, contracted by Makhuduthamaga Municipality from March to June 2026, were deployed as environmental maintenance and waste collection teams in the municipality’s Ward 30.
They were promised a monthly stipend of R2 800. While some participants received payment, others say they were excluded entirely.
Tshepo Matsekoleng, a participant in the programme, says the non-payment has left families in distress.
“We are deeply disappointed by the non-payment of our stipends. For four months we reported for duty, did street cleaning, waste collection and general upkeep of our village, and we believed the municipality would honour its agreement,” Matsekoleng said.
According to Matsekoleng, some of his colleagues got paid, while others got nothing. “We don’t know why we were treated differently. There was no explanation given to us. It feels like we were used and then forgotten,” he said.
The workers say they raised the matter repeatedly with Abel Mampane, the municipal coordinator assigned to the project, but received no clear response.
“He would tell us to wait, and then we would hear nothing. It is painful because R2 800 a month was meant to put food on the table and help with school expenses. Today, we have nothing to show for our labour,” Matsekoleng said.
Matsekoleng further alleged that during a recent visit by Sekhukhune District Municipality Executive Mayor Cllr Minah Bahula, team leaders received instructions from municipal officials.
“We were told that those of us with outstanding EPWP payments should not be invited to the programme with the Executive Mayor. The instruction was that we would expose the non-payments and the municipality would be held accountable,” he claimed.
He also said he tried to get the matter resolved through party structures.
“I participated in two ANC door-to-door campaigns hoping my service would be recognized and my outstanding payment processed. Nothing came of it,” Matsekoleng added.
The affected Serageng workers say they now intend to escalate the matter to district and provincial authorities.
“We did the work in our community. All we are asking for is to be paid what we are owed. Another disappointment is the silence. No one is giving us feedback. We are treated as if our work never happened. We are tired of promises, we need action before more families suffer,” Matsekoleng said.
Thomas Mashabela, MLM Spokesperson, told the publication that the programme was administered by the district municipality.