Yeoville councillor Mazibuko meets stakeholders over affected projects
YEOVILLE – Johannesburg Water will investigate and find a lasting solution to the problems facing local labourers.
Ward 67 councillor Refilwe Mazibuko met with local SMMEs on 22 January in Yeoville to find a solution to their complaints about the abandoned projects in their area which they claim they don’t benefit them.
Local SMMEs complain that they are not being considered when projects take place in their area accusing the municipality, City of Johannesburg, of unfair practices.
Most projects which, according to Mazibuko, belong to water utility Johannesburg Water (JW), have been affected because local SMMEs, supported by members of the community, disrupted them.
They accuse JW of ‘favouritism’ claiming that only one company, which they did not wish to mention yet, always gets the job while they submit their documentations but are allegedly overlooked.
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Mazibuko said the SMMEs are claiming that the same company that gets these contracts does not even belong in their ward.
“They say the two directors of this company are not residents in this ward while, in fact, they reside in the neighbouring ward,” explained Mazibuko.
“Johannesburg Water is the client in this situation and the projects include restoring new pipes, unblocking of drainage systems and water reticulation in general. They [SMMEs] feel that JW is not playing fair and only gives this one company all the projects while they also have the capability to do the work.”
Following their meeting last Wednesday, where JW officials also attended, Mazibuko said they could not find a solution due to another concerning issue which emerged during their meeting.
“It was put to me by the SMMEs that JW, as a client, after completing one of their projects they engaged Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to resurface the road without local labour involved.
“That drew us back and we couldn’t find a solution to the main issue we initially met to discuss and the community is adamant that the projects will remain suspended until JW meets their terms and conditions that they have decided for them,” said Mazibuko.
When contacted, Eleanor Mavimbela, a communications officer from JW, said they were not aware of the situation.
“I cannot confirm or deny but we will investigate and find out who formed part of this meeting and what the situation is – and then we will be in a position to respond to all the complaints,” said Mavimbela.
Details: Refilwe Mazibuko 074 705 3028.
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