Military veterans on coastal protection duties in the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) region say they have not been paid for four months.
In 2016, BCM was given R2.4m by the public works department to launch a unit to fight crime along the coast from Kiwane, near Tyolomnqa, to the Kwelerha belt as part of the Coastal Protection Services programme.
The group of veterans is made up of Mkhonto weSizwe (MK) and Azanian People’s Liberation Army (Apla) members.
Speaking on behalf of both bodies, Sogood Xengxe confirmed the issue of nonpayment.
“We will meet tomorrow [Wednesday] in East London and only afterwards will I be able to give proper feedback. We should have resolutions made.”
According to a source, the payment problems started in early April.
"The Trust Centre (BCM) is supposed to pay us,” the source said.
“There has been very little information about what is happening and why we have not been paid.
“We have also approached the ANC’s Dr WB Rubusana branch for assistance, but there is no direction. We are part of the Coastal Protection Service programme.”
Questions were sent to BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya and ANC Dr WB Rubusana secretary Antonio Carels about the matter, but he had not responded by print deadline.
Ngwenya said: “We are dealing with the matter internally to speedily resolve it, however in the interest of good clean governance it is important that due processes are followed to the letter.”
As part of the job, the veterans conduct patrols, check for valid fishing permits and guard against poachers. Their visibility is also aimed at reducing crime in the areas.
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