Sub-contractors get short end of stick
Many do not have contracts
Many subcontractors find themselves exploited because they often do not have contracts.
Senzo Khumalo of Mzilikazi Ka Mashobane Construction in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, said subcontractors were exploited because there is no ombudsman in the construction industry to ensure fair business practice.
Khumalo, 48, has not received payment for 13 houses he plastered earlier this year.
He charges R3 100 per house and said eight of his employees have since left him because of the non-payment of their salaries.
He said he was subcontracted by Dryden Projects at Savanna City, south of Johannesburg, to plaster a house.
He was promised work on more houses depending on the quality of his work.
Khumalo was subsequently allocated more houses to plaster, which he duly did.
He said he was shortchanged at times and was not paid at all between May and June because he was accused of stealing scaffolding, yet the suspected thieves were subsequently arrested.
He said he did not get an answer when he asked why he wasn’t arrested for theft.
“We have been tolerating harassment and exploitation since the end of April. I just want all my money for the work I did,” said Khumalo.
After Consumer Line’s intervention, Khumalo was paid for work completed on five houses as he had already submitted an invoice for them.
At a meeting held last Monday, Simphiwe Sgalelana of Dryden agreed to pay Khumalo. Dryden claimed, through their attorneys, that Khumalo was blackmailing them and ordered him to desist from claiming further money.
Marcellino Chitsungo of La Rochelle, southern Johannesburg, was not so lucky.
He was subcontracted to install pipes for Tsepo Temba in Songo village, Mozambique, in January. He said he met Peter van den Berg of Tsepo Temba through Gerhard Smith.
Van den Berg was looking for subcontractors from Mozambique to do work.
After meeting Van den
We’ve been exploited ... I just want all my money
Berg, Khumalo said he arranged and paid for their flights to Mozambique after they were promised R45 000 on completion of the work.
Khumalo added that their contract was verbal.
Van den Berg confirmed that he had contacted Gerhard Smith for the supply of labour for the project in Mozambique, and Chitsungo was one of the workers provided by Smith.
He said he was disappointed to hear that Chitsungo was not paid by Smith.
“We have honoured our agreement with Smith and paid him R61 800 for the actual days worked,” he said.
Van den Berg also attached his proof of payment to Smith.
Attempts to get comment from Smith proved futile as his cellphone has been on voice mail since June. He has also not responded to e-mails sent to him.