Residents from Westonaria’s township areas have taken to protest action in a bid to secure municipal work.
Hundreds of residents from Bekkersdal, Simunye and Borwa marched to the Westonaria Local Municipality to voice their concerns about the lack of municipal jobs being made available to locals.
They threatened they will not leave the municipality until those who are not from Westonaria but hold local municipal jobs are dismissed and residents from Westonaria are employed.
During the march, protesters left the streets of Westonaria a mess. Edward Avenue through to Neptunus Street going towards the municipality was riddled with litter and rocks, bricks and branches were put in the road.
“It’s not like we don’t want work. We do. We want our children off the streets. They’re doing drugs and stealing because they don’t have jobs to keep them busy.
“We’ve marched to the municipality and we found our children’s CVs dumped in municipal dustbins. It’s not right. They’re giving Westonaria municipal jobs to people from the Eastern Cape and Kwazulu Natal,” said Jeanette Pesheni, a resident of Simunye.
The Westonaria Police are currently on scene in case the protest action turns violent.
“The march so far has been peaceful but I’m concerned about marchers going back home,” said Captain Siphiwe Ndlovu, Westonaria Police spokesperson.
Police have so far cordoned off Neptunus Street and advised that motorists take an alternative route.
While protesters are currently at the municipality, roads to avoid later today when they march home are Neptunus, van Riebeeck, President Kruger, and Edwards Street. Motorists driving on the R28 later today should do so with caution.
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