Residents halt road upgrading
The residents claimed that while phase one of the upgrading of the road was in Ward 7, its residents were the only ones who benefited from the jobs created by the works. Now that phase two was in Ward 6, residents there felt they should be in line for the job opportunities.
A road upgrading project in Emjindi has been stalled amid allegations of jobs for pals.
The upgrading of Makhanya Street is funded by Barberton Mines reportedly to the tune of R2,5 million.
Contractor, Lamanjolo Investment CC, whose offices are in Mbombela, has been appointed to carry out the task.
However, on April 8 the project was stalled by angry community members. Among their grievances was the employment of workers without due processes being followed.
The residents claimed that while phase one of the upgrading of the road was in Ward 7, its residents were the only ones who benefited from the jobs created by the works. Now that phase two was in Ward 6, residents there felt they sould be in line for the job opportunities.
The Umjindi Community Forum (UCF) has subsequently handed over a memorandum to the Umjindi Municipality and Barberton Mines Trust Fund demanding that local businesses, especially youth contractors, benefit more from mine contracts and that local councillors should refrain from interfering with mandates and activities of the Barberton Mines Trust Fund.
Champion “Tiwawa” Fakudze, chairperson of the UCF said Umjindi Municipality must refrain from allowing a model of employing residents through wards and councillors’ interference as that creates a divisive society that continues to divide the community.
Fakudze said they also want the community liaison officer (reportedly to be a child of a former councillor) to be replaced.
“Umjindi Municipality is a collective community that develops as a communal society, which is united in their challenges and triumphs. As the Freedom Charter states that the people shall govern; nothing about us without us,” said Fakudze.
The unattended section of the road is now posing a serious threat to motorists and pedestrians. The chevron tapes, which marked the trenches, have since been removed making it difficult for motorists to see them. Electricity cables are exposed following the recent rains. The rain water filling the trenches itself has become a menace as they have become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Stanley Hlatshwayo, Lomanjolo project manager, said they were just service providers in the project and could not get involved in the politics of Umjindi as it did not concern their company.
“Our company is legally registered and have a right to bid for tenders in any part of the Republic of South Africa,” he said.
Essie Esterhuizen, Barberton Mines human resources manager, had not responded to media enquires that was e-mailed to him by Barberton Times on Thursday by the time of going to print.
Attempts to get comment telephonically also proved futile.
