An angry group of unemployed young people from Sakhile, who were promised jobs at a company named Zumeka Civil Engineering and Construction, but asked to pay R340, are demanding answers.
These people were allegedly told that Zumeka Civil Engineering is looking for 50 people for a mining project at New Denmark and Kriel.
According to one of them, a certain Mr Nkosinathi Zwane told her that 40 people will work at New Denmark and 10 at Kriel.
They said Mr Zwane told them that each one of them needs to pay R340, which included R150 for medical assessment bookings, R40 for transport to eMalahleni (Witbank) where the medical assessment would have been conducted.
They were also supposed to bring R150 with them on the day of the assessment.
“We have been receiving SMSs notifying us about what is going to happen, where it is going to happen and when it is going to happen,” one of them said.
The first SMS read: “Attention: Applicants We at Zumeka Civil Engineering and Construction require each and every person who applied with us to have his or her own red ticket (medical fitness).
The company will send you full details about interviews (dates/venue) soon. Thank you Yours sincerely Directors ( Zumeka Civil Engineering and Construction).”
When one of the young people asked if she can do the medical assessment in Standerton, she was told that they are only allowed to do it in Bethal and eMalahleni.
The second SMS read: “Note: You should do your Medical Fitness and x-ray with Bethal Industrial Health or in Witbank because is the one that is recommended, we do bookings as well. The Project will start on the 1 September 2014 or soon around August, be prepared. Thank you again Zumeka Management”.
Some of the the young people called after 1 September to check when exactly the project will begin and were told to wait.
They later received a third SMS saying: “Afternoon please send your sizes (overall and safety boots) to this number 082 953 5366, write your name and surname as well is urgent. Thank you management.”
The fourth SMS read: “Afternoon everyone lets meet at Oasis Centre next to Pick n Pay about 9am to leave for your medical fitness. You must have the following with you: ID, empty bag, bank account. Once more I need everyone to be patient because you all have the job and everything is set by our client. Thank you for patience, Directors”.
The medical assessment was scheduled for 4 September and they waited at the Oasis Centre and the transport showed up.
They received another SMS saying: “We apologize for inconvenience and thank you for your patience. We did sort out the default that occurred last Thursday. People will attend their medical fitness on Monday 8 September 2014 at 11am. We’ll be leaving for Witbank about 9am. Thank you”.
They gathered at the Oasis Centre again on 8 September before 9am and waited there until 5pm.
Some of them went to the Standerton Police Station to report the matter and the police told them that they should open a case first.
The police officer advised them to lay a charge against the person who took the money, namely Mr Zwane.
This group of people decided to give Mr Zwane a chance to speak to the owners of the Zumeka Civil Engineering and Construction about this matter and get back to them before 10 September.
When Mr Zwane was asked to comment, he refused and also refused to name the owner of the company.
These young people received another SMS on 9 September saying: “Afternoon Nathi is not responsible for any delays for your medical fitness but is the company and the client. You will receive your money back on Friday at 10am because we have decided to cancel the process due to certain reasons. Thank you”.
They will open a case at the police should the money not be returned to them.
These young people opened a case on Friday 12 September, after they did not receive their money and Mr Zwane was arrested.
The police are still looking for the owner of Zumeka Civil Engineering and Construction.
