New pavement project causes headaches in Jerusalem
The project, which commenced recently to build a pavement along Wit Deep Road, was halted by the community, who claim that the subcontractor's post was not advertised.
The Lungile Mtshali Pavement Project, which was supposed to bring relief to the community of Jerusalem informal settlement, somehow brought tension in the area.
Community member Kuly Fotoyi said: “Our problem is that the councillor appointed the community liaison officer (CLO), as he is part of the ward committee.
“The councillor was supposed to appoint one neutral member from the community and he was supposed to advertise the subcontractor post for everyone in the area to have a chance to apply, but he didn’t.”
Boetman Mandi, another community member, said: “People need jobs, so I believe that projects like these are meant to benefit everyone. We had numerous community meetings trying to resolve this issue, but the councillor didn’t come to address us.”
Fotoyi said they were not told about this pavement project. They just saw road-builders working in the area.
“The project will be beneficial to the community, but I still feel that there is a greater need for speed humps to reduce road fatalities in our area,” he said.
Ward 21 Clr Frans Ngomane said: “All of these accusations brought against me are just politically motivated. What I can mention is the subcontractors have been appointed only for a week to build a pavement and half a portion of the road.
“We have reached an agreement with the community by hiring those community members.”
Fotoyi confirmed to the Advertiser that they have reached an agreement and the project commenced on July 16 .
“We met with the main contractor as well as the CLO on July 15, but the councillor didn’t come,” Fotoyi said.
