VIDEO: South Hills residents protest for jobs
They demanded the companies in and around Ward 57 to employ them.
SOUTH Hills residents took their unemployment grievances to the streets on November 22, demanding jobs from local companies in the surrounding areas.
Protesters, embarking on protest action, gathered from around 8am at Moffat View to raise their frustrations about the lack of jobs opportunities. They demanded the companies in and around Ward 57 employ them.
Moffat View SAPS and JMPD monitored the activities to ensure they were peaceful and without violence.
The protesters targeted Teraoka and Makati companies, and other five companies. At Makati company, protesters barricaded the entrance preventing the movement of vehicles. However, JMPD and Moffat View SAPS dispersed the protesters.
Moffat View police communications officer Jeff Phora said: “As the police, we don’ mind a peaceful protest as long as protesters don’t vandalise properties.”
The protest march was led by Francis Jonkers, founder of an organisation known as UP 57. Jonkers said: “Our local people are poor and have many mouths to feed, but don’t benefit from the local companies around Ward 57. It’s not about money, but even if these companies can assist us by giving bursaries to our youth this will help.”
Protesters threatened that if their demands were not met, they would resort to violence.
However, Ward 57 councillor Faeeza Chame said: “No one discussed this with me. I just saw the protest on WhatApp. I understand unemployment is a burning issue, but it is not only affecting Ward 57; it is affecting the country. People shouldn’t use violence during any protest. I am willing to negotiate with companies to employ the unemployed. But it all depends on the companies.”
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