Disgruntled residents protest

A handful of Ballengeich residents protested outside Siltech on Monday morning.

Lindani Ndlovu, one of the protestors, said the inability to secure jobs in the company led to the protest.

“The company promised us jobs, but these were empty promises. People outside of Ballengeich, such as Madadeni were hired,” he complained.

He said there were approximately only a handful of temporary workers from Ballengeich employed by the company.

However, Antiquony Els, Siltech’s Human Resources Manager, said a substantial number of appointments were made from the Ballengeich community. “Individuals not appointed, did not meet the inherent requirements for the positions.”

Mrs Els explained during the company’s opening and start-up phase, Siltech followed a recruitment strategy whereby retrenched Siltech employees were given preference for available positions.

“This strategy is similar to the retrenchment agreement reached between the negotiating parties to the retrenchment and closure agreement in 2012,” she continued.

From the initial stages of the company’s re-opening, management apparently engaged with residents via formal community structures in an attempt to establish a working relationship.

“The company’s recruitment strategy has been made clear from the onset. Several meetings were held with the appointed community Induna, who expressed understanding and support of these structures and initiatives suggested by the company,” Mrs Els said.

It was communicated through the formal structures that the march was not approved by the council, and was subsequently not supported by the formal leadership structures of the Ballengeich Community, she added.

Despite having to contact the police to maintain order throughout the illegal protest, Mrs Els concluded Siltech would continue engaging with formal structures, but could engage with individuals not recognised by the formal structures.