Jobseekers from Fourways and surrounding informal settlements picketed outside Montecasino on October 12, calling for greater opportunities for local residents and raising concerns about the alleged employment of undocumented foreign nationals.

Protesters from Diepsloot, Kya Sands, Clayoven and Ginger Park gathered at the entertainment complex, demanding that management engage directly with them. Community leader Jacob Shika (45) said residents felt overlooked.
“Illegal undocumented foreign nationals must go from Montecasino,” Shika told the Chronicle, adding that protesters wanted dialogue with management rather than being asked to submit CVs into a box.

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Shika claimed that several jobseekers arrived without the required documentation and were turned away for lacking appointments. Clayoven resident Puleng Makgetsi alleged that local applicants were told their CVs would not be accepted.
“Many foreign nationals are here in Montecasino. They are working. When we hand out our CVs to Montecasino, we are told ‘we don’t want people from Clay Oven,’” she claimed.

Shika warned that the group planned to return on October 14 in larger numbers if their demands remained unaddressed.
“We are going to mobilise and come in numbers to march again until we are heard,” he said.

Douglasdale police officers, private security personnel and members of the Douglasdale Community Policing Forum blockaded the entrance on October 12 to prevent protesters from entering. Visitors not involved in the protest were allowed inside.

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Montecasino representatives, who were present at the entrance, declined to comment on the protesters’ allegations and demands when approached.

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