The Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality has come under fire for allegedly violating the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) by paying a main contractor for road construction work in Lynnwood, Pretoria East, before the project even began in December 2023.
The controversial payment has led to a halt in construction, with subcontractors refusing to continue work until their outstanding invoices are settled. The project, which was initially slated for completion last year, has been plagued by financial mismanagement, leaving workers and local residents frustrated.
Project Stalled, Subcontractors Left in Crisis
According to reports, subcontractors have been forced to use their own funds to keep the project moving, only to have their payment claims ignored. Some subcontractors claim they have faced severe financial strain, including repossessed vehicles, unpaid workers, and even violent confrontations with employees demanding wages.
Fridah Tshabalala, one of the affected subcontractors, shared her ordeal:
“We are sick, our blood pressure is high. Every morning, we wake up to empty fridges. We can’t even afford bread. Some of us have had our cars taken, and workers have been assaulted because they think we’re withholding money.”
She added that the situation has become so dire that subcontractors are considering protesting outside the Tshwane municipal offices if their demands are not met.
Safety Hazards and Community Frustration
The stalled construction has also created public safety hazards. Unfinished trenches have reportedly become hiding spots for vagrants, raising concerns about crime and sanitation issues. Local residents have complained about the unsightly and dangerous conditions left by the abandoned project.
City of Tshwane Under Scrutiny
The subcontractors allege that while some workers under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) have been paid, their own invoices remain unpaid, leading to distrust and anger among their teams.
“They paid EPWP workers, so now our employees think we have their money. They come knocking at our doors demanding payment, but we have nothing to give them,” Tshabalala explained.
The Tshwane Metro has yet to respond to these allegations. However, pressure is mounting for the municipality to address the payment delays and ensure the project’s completion.
Calls for Immediate Intervention
With the situation escalating, subcontractors are urging the city’s leadership—particularly its female officials, including the MMC for Transport—to intervene.
“This is Women’s Month, and we are being failed. We need our money now,” Tshabalala emphasized.
As the standoff continues, the Lynnwood road project remains an emblem of financial mismanagement, leaving workers unpaid, residents inconvenienced, and the city’s accountability in question.
