Duduza – Angry unemployed residents blocked the entrance of the new construction site of a reservoir, demanding employment.
The group of over 100 residents threatened that no work will commence until unemployed residents from Duduza are absorbed.
They alleged subcontractors who are close to ward Clr Bongani Hlophe have been appointed while other residents were left in the dark about the process.
Also read:
Locals stage protest to demand speed humps
Community representative Tebogo Boiyane said the councillor has already appointed a community liaison officer (CLO).
“As the community we don’t even know how, when or what the criteria was that was used to appoint him.
“On Tuesday the CLO called a meeting and took the names of five residents with experience, but this is a big project that can absorb more than five people.
“We asked that he appoints a steering committee, but he told us he will do that in good time.
“When will this ‘good time’ be, when the project is about to start?” asked Boiyane.
Boiyane added that they will continue protesting until an official from the metro has intervened and allowed for a fair employment process to unfold.
In his comment, Hlophe said the project is still in the early stages and only the contractor and his employees were on site.
Also read:
Protests break out at Nkanga Village
“At this point we don’t even know how many people will be employed and the number of subcontractors the contractor will need.
“Currently, no one has been appointed and I will not be involved in the recruitment process.
“I have appointed a CLO who will be liaising with the residents every Tuesday at Masechaba Grounds at 10am,” he explains.
Hlophe has urged residents to exercise calmness and said they will be updated by the CLO when there is a need to do so.
“ As soon as we know the number of people the project will need we will let them know,” he adds.
Follow us on:
