About 30 angry Mdantsane residents stopped construction workers from re-gravelling a road along the Linge informal settlement this week, demanding to know the grounds on which they were employed.
Resident Linda Sikade, a mother of four, said the community had agreed with ward councillor Zininzi Mtyingizane that any projects in the area would benefit unemployed people in the area.
“We stopped construction when we all discovered that we did not know the people working in our community and we could not have that, because we are sitting here unemployed with children to feed, but our jobs were being given to other people.”
Phumela Bozwana, a mother of two, said they wanted to know when the construction workers were selected because there had not been any community meetings.
“We feel that our councillor has selected her friends because there was not a single announcement made about a community meeting saying anything about a need for construction workers or that the road would be re-graveled.”
Sibusiso Faku said when meetings were held they were at odd times which did not accommodate all.
“This is our community and we all have a say about what goes on here and who must be employed here for this project.”
Faku said they were tired of being sidelined.
Mtyingizane addressed the community and scheduled a meeting at which people would be selected to work on the short-term project.
“Construction workers and the community informed me what was happening and I went to address the situation,” said Mtyingizane.
“The dispute came after residents said they did not know the people working on the re-gravelling project, even though they are also residents of the ward.
“Nonetheless to calm the situation, we all agreed that we would sit in a meeting so they can select community members whom they want to work within this particular project.”
Mtyingizane said the roads would only be tarred in 2017 due to a limited budget this year.
Residents put stop to work on road
Resident Linda Sikade, a mother of four, said the community had agreed with ward councillor Zininzi Mtyingizane that any projects in the area would benefit unemployed people in the area.
“We stopped construction when we all discovered that we did not know the people working in our community and we could not have that, because we are sitting here unemployed with children to feed, but our jobs were being given to other people.”
Phumela Bozwana, a mother of two, said they wanted to know when the construction workers were selected because there had not been any community meetings.
“We feel that our councillor has selected her friends because there was not a single announcement made about a community meeting saying anything about a need for construction workers or that the road would be re-graveled.”
Sibusiso Faku said when meetings were held they were at odd times which did not accommodate all.
“This is our community and we all have a say about what goes on here and who must be employed here for this project.”
Faku said they were tired of being sidelined.
Mtyingizane addressed the community and scheduled a meeting at which people would be selected to work on the short-term project.
“Construction workers and the community informed me what was happening and I went to address the situation,” said Mtyingizane.
“The dispute came after residents said they did not know the people working on the re-gravelling project, even though they are also residents of the ward.
“Nonetheless to calm the situation, we all agreed that we would sit in a meeting so they can select community members whom they want to work within this particular project.”
Mtyingizane said the roads would only be tarred in 2017 due to a limited budget this year.
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