A blame game has erupted in the government over the delayed payment of stipends for more than 150 000 education assistants.

This has left workers across the country in limbo. Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, on Monday, expressed deep concern over delays in stipend payments to Education Assistants employed through the Basic Education Employment Initiative.

The Employment and Labour Department insists that it cannot release funds until the Basic Education Department submits complete attendance registers, in line with strict funding agreements.

Deputy Minister of Labour and Employment Jomo Sibiya says, “It’s regrettable and unfortunate that we are here today, and we have to discuss such a matter in a manner that we have to discuss it, which is not progressive and assisting. I’m not going to go into the infighting or finger-pointing games for now, because I think what is important for us to deal with is the situation at hand, and make sure that the teacher assistants who haven’t been paid until this day are paid urgently and quickly. Accountability must take place; people must account for what happened.”