The Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticised the implementation of the Lungile Mstshali Community Development project.
The project was launched on February 11, by Ekurhuleni’s executive mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele.
In a press release, ward 18 councillor and city planning and economic development spokesperson Clr Heather Hart said the project has taken months to prepare.
“The on again, off again Lungile Mstshali Community Development Plan has so far taken more than nine months in preparation, but still the DA caucus of the municipality is unhappy with the way this poverty alleviation and job creation programme is being implemented,” said Clr Hart.
The programme is designed to provide unemployed residents in each ward in Ekurhuleni with an opportunity to be selected as one of the 30 eco-guides or field workers in the R1-million per ward community upliftment project.
Clr Hart is concerned that not even two weeks’ notice was given before the registration for these positions was closed.
“This made it impossible to spread the word to a wide audience and other than a small notice at the customer care centres, there was no other publicity around this registration,” she said.
“Furthermore, one of the criteria for registration was to be a registered voter within the voting district of the ward in which the applicant was residing, which the DA suspects could be unconstitutional,” said Clr Hart.
She added that while the project is supported in principal, she was concerned over a number of reports received.
“The African National Congress (ANC) appears to be using this R101-million project as an election tool, as opposed to a vehicle for delivering services, using rate payers’ money,” said Clr Hart.
When the project was originally presented to councillors, it was on the basis of R1-million per ward for the purpose of creating a legacy project within the ward.
Alternatively, the funds could be used as a vehicle for beautifying aspects of the ward for which there is no normal funding.
“The project was meant to be recommended by the councillor in consultation with the community, but instead a one size fits all approach has been taken, ignoring the outcome of the previous public participation process,” said Clr Hart.
All funds will instead be spent on street sweeping, litter picking and storm water servitude cleaning, with 15 people employed per ward for a 12 month period.
“Over and above that, 15 eco-guides will also be employed, all receiving a stipend of R2 000 per month to educate the public on environmental issues,” said Clr Hart.
“There is no doubt that most wards in Ekurhuleni could benefit from this intervention, while at the same time providing employment for 3 000 unemployed residents. The municipality will be spending a further R1-million of our money to create awareness of the project and we can only hope that it will be money well spent,” she said.
The NEWS sent an enquiry to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality for comment on February 18.
Comment was requested by February 21.
At the time of going to print, no comment was received.
