‘Give others a chance’: Kwa-Thema community questions contract renewals

Kwa-Thema – A group of concerned residents has been staging a non-violent protest outside the Customer Care Centre since Monday. Their concern is how they believe the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has been handling employment contracts.

“When the city introduced the contracts, they told us it was a way to give people the opportunity to work.

The contracts would last for three years, and at the end of the term, other people would get the jobs.

“But now there are people who have worked for nine years. This means they have been offered the contract three times, while in our community, there are so many people who are unemployed,” explained one resident.

Another resident added, “We do not want to take bread from people’s tables, but only to give others a chance to eat.

“There are young people who have finished matric and they do not have a job. If they get these contracts, they will gain valuable work experience,” she said.

When they arrived on Monday morning, the group said they wanted to get clarity from the CCC manager about the application process for these jobs.

“We want to know where and how to apply. As things currently stand, it looks like the people who get these jobs are connected, or maybe there are bribes involved,” she said.

The group wants the city to clarify the process and to avoid renewing contracts for those whose terms have ended. They believe the workers should be suspended from duty until these issues are resolved.

“We are willing to be here every day, as long as it takes, to get the city’s attention. We have made efforts to speak to our ward councillors and the CCC manager, but we do not receive answers,” she mentioned.

The publication is awaiting comment from the CoE.

ALSO READ: Ten Gauteng police and metro officers accused of theft released on bail

ALSO READ: Celebrate Women’s Day with empowerment high tea at Palm Springs