GIYANI, Limpopo — The final construction phase of the Giyani Water Project has come to an abrupt standstill after former workers downed tools over alleged unpaid wages. The stoppage halts progress on the long-delayed, multi-million-rand infrastructure initiative, compounding the frustrations of local residents who have been waiting over a decade for reliable water access.
Originally slated for completion in 2014, the broader Giyani Water Project has been plagued by extensive delays. Now, the latest hurdle involves a labor dispute that has forced operations to a complete halt.
The workers, who provided social facilitation services for a contracted engineering firm, claim they have not been paid for six of the seven months they worked. Their contracts, which began in 2020, officially expired in June 2026 without being extended.
According to the workers, they were employed by Lepelle Northern Water to assist the contracted engineering company. However, numerous attempts to engage the water utility regarding their outstanding invoices have allegedly yielded no results.
One worker highlighted the severity of the arrears, noting that payments have been outstanding across 2024, 2025, and into 2026. “You can’t be busy with someone’s seven months’ salaries,” the worker expressed, adding that the strike and site closure were initiated as a last resort to force the settlement of their nine months’ worth of pending payments.
Another employee, who joined the team in 2022, echoed these sentiments, stating that inconsistent payments have been a recurring issue throughout their tenure, making them feel as though they are “working for nothing.”
The continuous disruptions have deeply impacted surrounding communities, who are already suffering from severe water shortages. Residents of Basani village expressed their despair, noting they have been without municipal water for years and are forced to purchase water they can barely afford.
“We are struggling when we don’t have water. When you don’t have water, you obviously can’t cook,” one community member lamented, emphasizing the dire humanitarian implications of the project’s delays.
Muteo Consulting Engineering, the company contracted to complete the project, declined to comment on the labor dispute and referred all inquiries to Lepelle Northern Water.
In response to the allegations, Lepelle Northern Water disputed the workers’ claims, asserting that the individuals were employed under Muteo Consulting Engineering rather than the utility itself. Furthermore, the utility’s spokesperson stated that internal records show no outstanding payment obligations or invoices related to the project.
“All our invoices do not show that we have any outstanding invoices from our records,” the Lepelle Northern Water representative said, adding that any grievances should be addressed through proper legal and administrative channels. “As far as we know, there’s no outstanding claim towards any service provider.”
Despite the current labor standoff, Lepelle Northern Water maintains that the Giyani Water Project is currently in its final stages, specifically undergoing pressure testing.
