KATLEHONG, Gauteng – A nearly finished primary school reconstruction project remains at a standstill as local subcontractors demand payment for three months of unpaid labor.
Montic Primary School, which is approximately 90% complete, was originally scheduled to open in November 2025. However, ongoing financial disputes between small contractors and the main contractor have halted all construction activity.
A spokesperson representing the subcontracting team confirmed that repeated attempts to resolve the payment issue through written correspondence have yielded no results. “Our teams have fulfilled their contractual obligations, yet compensation for work completed remains outstanding,” the spokesperson said.
The new facility is designed to house around 40 classrooms and will serve learners from early childhood development levels through Grade 7. Many of the local workers involved in the bricklaying and construction are also parents within the community, with children expected to benefit from the upgraded school infrastructure.
“We continued working because we wanted this school ready for our children,” said a bricklayer and community member involved in the project. “But we cannot sustain our families without payment.”
The subcontractors have stated unequivocally that work will not resume until all outstanding payments are settled. They are calling for urgent mediation to resolve the dispute and allow the school to open for the next academic term.
When contacted for comment regarding the payment delays and project timeline, a representative from the main contractor indicated that internal processes were underway to address the matter, though no specific resolution timeline was provided.
Community education advocates have expressed concern that the prolonged delay affects not only workers’ livelihoods but also learners awaiting access to improved educational facilities in the Katlehong area.