They are demanding overtime payments for last month which the municipality reportedly never paid.

According to the infrastructure MMC, Ditabe Nhlapo, the municipality decided not to pay overtime above 40 hours in a given month.

He admits that the strike has negatively affected residents, adding the municipality would like to apologise.

Nhlapo added that in August and September the municipality paid up to R5.5 million for overtime only.

"We can't afford to pay such a huge amount of money while the residents are struggling to get electricity supply due to old transformers that need to be restored," he says.

He says the municipality cannot pay people who are doing work for their personal interests while knowing very well that the residents are suffering.

The municipal spokesperson, Matefu Mokoena, says the matter has been attended to.

OFM News/Tumelo Khota