Feud between a community organisation representing local small, medium and micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) named Kwanele People’s Movement and subcontractors have caused a standstill on a multimillion-rand MTN fibre optic infrastructure project in Mdantsane over the appointment of local subcontractors.
The project which has an undisclosed figure but is estimated to have cost telecommunications company, MTN, around R11-million to install fibre cables from Qumza Highway, Mdantsane to Bhisho has been rocked by controversy.
Kwanele People’s Movement, a non-government organisation formed to protect the interests of local businesses, claims proper employment procedures were not followed when construction company Bara Technology Network (BTN) employed 10 Mdantsane-based subcontractors to carry out work for the installation of fibre cables.
Kwanele People’s Movement secretary for local economic development, Bulelani Ntsangeni, said they were not consulted during the employment process of subcontractors and claim workers of the project complained to them about being paid salaries that are below the minimum wage for contractors.
The installation of the fibre cables mean faster broadband for internet users which could also benefit small businesses such as internet coffee shops in the region.
Multimillion-rand fibre optic project stalls after feud
Image: File
Feud between a community organisation representing local small, medium and micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) named Kwanele People’s Movement and subcontractors have caused a standstill on a multimillion-rand MTN fibre optic infrastructure project in Mdantsane over the appointment of local subcontractors.
The project which has an undisclosed figure but is estimated to have cost telecommunications company, MTN, around R11-million to install fibre cables from Qumza Highway, Mdantsane to Bhisho has been rocked by controversy.
Kwanele People’s Movement, a non-government organisation formed to protect the interests of local businesses, claims proper employment procedures were not followed when construction company Bara Technology Network (BTN) employed 10 Mdantsane-based subcontractors to carry out work for the installation of fibre cables.
Kwanele People’s Movement secretary for local economic development, Bulelani Ntsangeni, said they were not consulted during the employment process of subcontractors and claim workers of the project complained to them about being paid salaries that are below the minimum wage for contractors.
The installation of the fibre cables mean faster broadband for internet users which could also benefit small businesses such as internet coffee shops in the region.
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