HLOHLOKWE, MARULENG – 20 September 2026 – Maruleng Local Municipality Mayor Cllr Tsheko Musolwa has met with residents of Hlohlokwe Village to address concerns surrounding the non-payment of workers who were involved in a sanitation project in the community.
The engagement brought together Mayor Musolwa, Mopani District Municipality MMC for Infrastructure Cllr Masilo Maloko and members of the Hlohlokwe community as municipal leadership sought to address concerns surrounding outstanding wages owed to labourers who worked on the project.
According to Maruleng Local Municipality, the affected workers approached the Mayor’s Office seeking intervention after what it described as a prolonged dispute over their outstanding payments.
The workers are understood to have been seeking assistance from municipal leadership to resolve the matter and obtain payment for work they had already completed as part of the sanitation project.
Addressing residents during the engagement, Mayor Musolwa reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to find a solution to the dispute.
The municipality said it would explore all available avenues to ensure that legitimate outstanding payments due to the affected labourers are processed.
Musolwa also assured residents that the municipality would continue engaging with communities on service delivery challenges and other issues affecting residents.
The engagement forms part of the municipality’s stated commitment to maintaining communication with communities and addressing challenges through direct interaction between residents and municipal leadership.
While the municipality did not disclose the total amount allegedly owed to the workers, the number of affected labourers or a specific date for when payments will be made, it said that legitimate outstanding amounts would be addressed through engagement with the relevant stakeholders.
The municipality also did not provide details about the contractor or entity responsible for the workers’ payments, or explain the circumstances that resulted in the reported delay.
The issue has nevertheless raised concerns among affected workers, particularly as unpaid wages can place additional financial pressure on households that rely on project-based employment.
During the meeting, the Mayor further assured residents that the municipality would continue exploring available options to improve service delivery and address challenges affecting communities.
According to the municipality, the focus remains on finding practical, sustainable and long-term solutions while prioritising the well-being of residents.
The engagement also reflects the importance of communication between local government and communities when challenges arise around infrastructure projects and service delivery.
For the affected Hlohlokwe workers, the immediate concern remains the resolution of the outstanding payments. The municipality has indicated that it will continue working with the relevant stakeholders to address the matter.
No specific payment deadline was announced in the municipality’s statement issued on 20 September 2026.
The municipality also did not indicate whether any investigation or formal process had been completed regarding the unpaid wages. It said, however, that it remains committed to ensuring that legitimate outstanding payments are processed.
The meeting comes as Maruleng Local Municipality continues to emphasise community engagement as part of its approach to service delivery.
The municipality said it remains committed to building stronger partnerships with communities through continuous engagement while working to advance service delivery and improve the quality of life of residents.
For residents of Hlohlokwe, further engagement and communication will be important as the municipality and other relevant stakeholders work towards resolving the payment dispute.
The municipality’s spokesperson, Justice Shipalana, confirmed that the Mayor’s Office remains committed to engaging with communities and addressing service delivery concerns.
Residents and affected workers will now await further developments regarding the outstanding payments and any additional steps that may be taken by the municipality and relevant stakeholders.
The municipality has reiterated its commitment to pursuing practical solutions to challenges affecting residents while continuing its broader efforts to improve service delivery across Maruleng.
Media enquiries: Justice Shipalana, Spokesperson – 071 605 9198 | shipalanaj@maruleng.gov.za
