ELM security officers not paid November salaries

SEDIBENG. – A week after they were supposed to have been paid, the Wenzile Phapha Security officers are suckling their thumbs as they have still not been paid.

The Wenzile Phapha Security officers render security services to the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) at essential points such as at electricity substations, offices, and libraries amongst others. They were supposed to have been paid on the 15th of November but were apparently told that they could not be paid as the ELM had not paid Wenzile Phapha Security Services for the month of November. It is said that national water supply, Rand Water and national electricity supplier, Eskom have successfully applied for the attachment of the ELM’s bank accounts, hence the non-payment of the salaries. The employees were apparently promised to be paid after seven working days.

“We are going to the festive season and they are starting with their tricks, what are we supposed to do because we also have debts that need to pay. Our debit orders have bounced, we need money for transport, for food, for rent and for our children. We do not know who is to blame here, because Phaphama is a big company they should have made a plan seeing that Emfuleni was not going to pay them,” said a group of disgruntled Wenzile Phapama that spoke to Sedibeng Ster anonymously due to fear of reprisals.

Meanwhile, while most staff members reported and are still reporting for duty, some have decided to stay at home citing lack of money to can reach their different posts and perform their duties.

They have promised to return to work when they get paid.

They workers told Sedibeng Ster that it has been a long time since this has happened (that they do not get paid), and that the situation needs to be resolved soon. Some years back the employees had apparently gotten used to being paid late or not being paid at all due to the ELM’s financial predicaments.