Unpaid Service Providers Protest Outside KZN Transport Department

Unpaid Service Providers Storm KZN Transport Department Offices in Pietermaritzburg, Demanding Overdue Payments Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – On May 15, 2025, a group of unpaid service providers staged a protest outside the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Transport offices in Pietermaritzburg. The protesters, who claimed they were owed significant sums of money for services rendered, demanded immediate payment from the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Transport, Siboniso Duma. The demonstration, captured on video, showed a sizable group gathered at the department's entrance. Some protesters were seen sitting, while others engaged in discussions with security personnel. The atmosphere appeared tense, reflecting the frustration of the service providers who had not received their payments. "We've been waiting for months," said one protester, who wished to remain anonymous. "We have families to feed, and we can't afford to wait any longer for the money we've rightfully earned." The protest highlights a broader issue of timely payments to service providers by government departments. The incident underscores the need for improved financial management and accountability within government structures to ensure that those who provide essential services are compensated fairly and promptly. While the immediate outcome of the protest remains unclear, it serves as a stark reminder of the financial challenges faced by many service providers in South Africa. The Department of Transport has yet to issue an official statement regarding the protest and the outstanding payments.