Jobseekers kicked out by community
Jobseekers who refused to leave had to be accompanied out of the area by metro police and Ward 94 councillor David Foley.
Local jobseekers were looking to find some work and put bread on the table last week, but according to some in the Lonehill community, they are seeking greener pastures at the wrong locations.
They informed Ward 94 councillor David Foley who called the authorities to help with expelling them.
The jobseekers had placards at the corner of Sunset Avenue and Mulbarton Road with their individual skill set written on them hoping to attract work.
But the community was having none of it.
Foley said he received several calls from residents complaining about them on January 23.
“I was told that they are now going further down the roads. They complained about them spilling over and that they seemed to be intimidating joggers, people walking, and all kinds of things. There have been several operations but in this particular case, you go over there and chat to them about leaving the area and going back to where other jobseekers are so that it becomes easier to maintain the area. This is because there is always litter and bottles strewn, and unfortunately, most if not 95% are undocumented.”
He said when he queried where they came from, they said Malawi. “I asked if they had the required papers, but they just looked away. I said rather move away from here before the police and home affairs come here to arrest you. I also told them not to come because I am receiving a lot of complaints.”
Foley said he is grateful to see members of the community taking a step forward when it comes to this predicament.
“The security teams do a good job with telling these people to not be there but of course, the metro police need to be called because if undocumented, you cannot be in this country illegally. The fact of the matter is that people are concerned about the environment and illegal immigrants, and it is my duty to address it.”
JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said, “We engaged the jobseekers together with the CPF and private security regarding the complaints of safety and security in the area. They were requested to move from that particular spot, and they cooperated by vacating the area with no resistance.”
He added that the removal of the job seekers was not a matter of enforcing by-laws, but instead a case of attending to complaints from residents regarding safety and security issues arising in the community.
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