ANC silent on unpaid Kimberley caterers after ANCYL conference

CATERERS who provided services at the ANC Youth League national general conference held in Kimberley in September say they have been visiting the ANC offices daily in an effort to be paid what is owed to them.

A service provider stated that six local caterers were subcontracted to prepare meals for around 650 delegates over three days.

The event at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre was attended by dignitaries including ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula and ANCYL president Collen Malatji.

“We had to pay out of our own pockets to cover the wages of the youths we employed to assist us, at a rate of R300 per day. We were expected to work up to eight hours each day, and until late at night, where we had to increase payment to R500 per day for the young workers,” said the service provider.

“We were given R50,000 to purchase ingredients by the main contractor but it was not sufficient, and we are owed R160,000 to cover our costs. The main contractor told us that he is also still waiting for payment.”

The small business owner indicated that they were turned away when they sought assistance at the provincial ANC offices in Kimberley.

“We have salaries and bills to pay and have yet to recover our costs. Is the ANC not supposed to help the poor?”

The Northern Cape ANC declined to comment.