Promises not fulfilled, claim brigades
Duduza – Lungile Mtshali brigades took to the streets on Thursday, to picket outside the Duduza Customer Care Centre (CCC), alleging they are being sidelined and mistreated by the Ekurhuleni Metro and Hlaniki Holdings Enterprise.
The brigade members were singing struggle songs, hoping that their grievances would be heard.
They claim they were promised co-operatives and permanent jobs within the Metro after being contracted to the project for a year. Now, however, they say, posts are available for new brigades, while none of the promises have been fulfilled.
“When we started the programme we were told that we would be skilled, so that the metro could formulate co-operatives which would be funded before our contracts expired,” says brigade member Tankieso Masoka.
“But, we are left with two weeks and we don’t have our co-operative certificates, which clearly means they won’t be funding us, as they are looking for new people for the coming year.”
The brigades further allege the training that was provided was not of good quality and that certificates issued after it was completed are not accredited.
“What we want is for our contracts to be extended, because we know we won’t receive the funding for our co-operatives once we are no longer here,” say the brigade members.
“There is so much corruption, and we are the ones who are suffering in the end. We want the new mayor to address us and explain to us what exactly is going on with the Lungile Mtshali Project.”
Project coordinator Njabulo Mashinini says the brigade members have received training and that Hlaniki, the service provider, is busy with the documentation of their co-operatives, so that they may receive funding.
“The post for new brigades triggered the whole misunderstanding; I’m not sure why, because this is not a permanent job and brigade members were informed that their contracts would lapse on August 31.
“We ran out of time, but we will make sure that the brigades’ co-operatives are registered and that funding is granted, as promised, because training was done, even though we are unable to please everyone.
“The truth is, the project is aimed at giving everyone a chance to gain skills and develop themselves, so we will makes sure their certificates are granted,” says Mashinini.
