Workers who are doing the debushing and clearing for the Andara-Shamaturu road in Mukwe, Kavango East, have stopped working after the subcontractor failed to pay them for the month of March. 

The 63 workers say they finally had to down tools after they reached mid-April without any payment from Kuru Kaje Investments CC, the SME responsible for earthworks on the construction site. 

Apart from not being paid, the employees also complained about the fact that they are forced to work without protective clothing. 

The workers are now fed up and say not being paid despite putting in the hours is making life very difficult. 

The workers are also accusing Kuru Kaje Investments CC of bringing in a grader and a bulldozer to continue with the earthworks after they refused to continue working without being paid. 

Approached for comment, Jerry Kauyu of Kuru Kaje Investments CC told NBC news that the construction of the Andara-Shamaturu gravel road is a government project and that the work commenced at the end of the financial year which has influenced the duration of invoice payments. 

Kauyu promised to have the workers paid before 9 May saying he has arranged for them to start working on 6 May 2025. He also said workers will receive their safety gear upon resuming work.