‘Boko Haram’ hijacking construction sites in Diepsloot
Diepsloot - CONSTRUCTION of a water project in Diepsloot was brought to an abrupt stop after ward councillors in the area locked horns over the ownership of the Tanganani Water Development Scheme.
Work was scheduled to kick-off in Diepsloot’s Ward 112, but was abandoned before it started after residents of Ward 113 allegedly stormed the site and threatened to kill construction workers.
The project is now hanging in the balance and DA councillor Candice James of Ward 112, ANC’s Abraham Makube of Ward 113, and Diepsloot Contractors Association debate the issue.
James said, “Residents from his ward are demanding to supply all the labour force for a project in my ward. A construction association from his ward has threatened to kill workers on site demanding sub-construction work before anything could kick-off.”
Makube distanced himself from the Diepsloot Contractors Association who he accused of hijacking construction projects without his blessing.
“I am aware of that group coming from my ward that goes around hijacking construction sites. They call themselves Boko Haram and they also hijacked a school construction project in my ward on Tuesday,” said Makube.
Chairman of the Diepsloot Constructors Association, Folomazi Armstrong, confirmed that they would not allow constructors from outside Diepsloot to work in their area without involving them.
Armstrong insisted that local residents were entitled to 10 percent of all Diepsloot construction work.
“These water reservoirs are meant to benefit people of Diepsloot, but were are excluded in their construction. Why? Nothing for us without us,” said Armstrong.
James revealed that she has been instructed by Humphrey Manamela, the regional manager of the ward governance to momentarily pull out of the project. Manamela declined to speak to Fourways Review when contacted for a comment.
The site engineer Righart Scheepers, however told Fourways Review that Makube had visited him earlier on site to introduce himself as the ward councillor of the area.
“I was surprised to learn this Tuesday that the site falls under Candice,” said Scheepers. He said he removed his workforce from the site for fear of their safety.
“I only have one supervisor and four labourers on site, I can’t bring more people at the moment,” said Scheepers.
Mabube confirmed that he visited the site claiming that he initially mistook the area to be part of his ward.
“I saw constructors and went there to meet them because I thought it was in my ward,” said Makube.
Andrew Dicks of Sun Valley Resident Association where the water reservoirs are to be built accused Makube of interfering in James’ ward. Dicks accused Makube of working hand in hand with the Diepsloot Contractors Association, a charge which the councillor vehemently denied.
Do you have any information about construction sites hijackers; share your experience on Fourways Facebook page
