Seshego circle project construction resumes despite residents’ criticism

POLOKWANE – The contractor accused by some Seshego residents of not having followed proper protocol in employing EPWP workers on the Seshego traffic circle project, resumed work recently despite criticism from locals that the matter had still not been resolved to their satisfaction.

Having started on September 18 and envisaged for completion on June 29 next year, the road project meant to upgrade the circle into a signalised traffic intersection was halted for several days, a day after it started, by residents who said despite their main concern, it also did not make sense for the project to run while the township struggled with access to consistent running water.

Read more: Use the money to fix our water problems – Seshego residents

They had blocked the contractor from carrying out the work, alleging that those working on the project were not local residents and thus not deserving beneficiaries.

It is those community members who cannot afford alternative measures to access water who are seen at odd hours after work, carrying containers asking their neighbours for water.

Some told BONUS that the municipality’s effort to supply water through truck tanks did not help much as the trucks either arrived during the day when the working class had left already, or in the early hours of the morning when most residents are asleep.

The township’s Ward 13 councillor, Mathews Ajao Leballo told BONUS in September that they had implemented appropriate procedures to temporarily employ deserving locals as requested by the municipality under the programme, a sentiment he shared with Mayor John Mpe during a community meeting at the Ngoako Ramahlodi Sports Complex.

Mpe had called the disgruntled group together to clarify the matters and hinted that the Seshego water plant would be completed by the end of October.

Improving the traffic circle is necessary for facilitating the municipality’s rapid bus transport system and to avoid the current congestion the buses cause at peak hours, the mayor said.

He also acknowledged that there had been financial and administrative constraints which delayed the envisaged completion of the water project meant to expand the township’s water capacity.

However, Chrishani Mafalo, a community activist said the municipality still did not provide evidence that those employed in the project are from the township and that they would be observing closely to make a determination.

For Mafalo and his group, it is painful, as he described it to BONUS, that many young people from the township are either unemployed with qualifications or lead lives of substance abuse, due to a lack of financial opportunities to improve their well-being.

“That is the reason why we want to ensure that everyone receives an equal opportunity and that things are done right. Some youths have given up on their lives because of these socio-economic ills and burden their parents. But if things like proper employment are executed correctly, then we will all eventually get an opportunity,” he added.