BARELY five years after its inception, the top-notch Pencil Club, a prominent networking hub in Durban, has shut its doors, leaving its employees shocked and in financial disarray.

On Tuesday, the workers, which included waitresses, bartenders, cleaners and chefs, were up in arms after their February salaries, which they expected yesterday, were not paid.

The Daily News visited the Pencil Club, based in uMhlanga, north of Durban, and found some workers in the corridors at their work premises looking discontented. Some food items were also seen lying on the floor.

The workers who spoke with the Daily News, did so on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals. They expressed their anger at how the company handled the matter.

“We were not informed before today (Tuesday) that our salaries for this month won't be paid. The company failed to manage this matter well. I don't know how I am going to cater for my child this month,” said the worker.

Another upset employee alleged that they have been abused as workers for a long time.

“There are some months where they paid only half our salaries without any prior explanation. This is exactly what they did to us this month. We are dressed in uniforms, expecting to be at work today. Instead, we were told this morning that the company has been liquidated,” said the employee.

In the wake of the sudden collapse , many employees were seen embracing one another, unwilling to abandon their bonds forged during years of service. They wore their all-blue uniforms, a stark reminder of their employment within the once-thriving establishment.

All of the workers were not wiling to being photographed.

The Daily News has seen a letter sent to the employees on Tuesday, informing them about a meeting that was held on the same day in the "Blackwing room".

The club boasted a bar, meeting rooms, gym, reading room, sauna, in-house hairstylist and catered for member events, which included seasonal parties and live music.

Pencil Club prided itself on being the “home to business professionals, creatives, philanthropists, and socialites.”

The Daily News sister publication, the Mercury, had previously reported that the decision to initiate business rescue proceedings was taken during a meeting held on February 3.

During this meeting, the Mercury reported that the directors resolved that the business was in financial distress and might not be able to meet some of its obligations.

The closure of the Pencil Club has cast a dark shadow over its lifetime members, some of whom had invested large sums of money, as much as R1 million in membership fees.

Attempts for a response a Pencil Club representative were unsuccessful.

DAILY NEWS