The residents of Dwaleni, most learners in uniform, are protesting outside the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

They are demanding decent jobs, water, bursaries, 10 per cent share and accountability. White River police are at the scene.

A single lane is opened for motorists coming in and leaving the airport.

They demanded decent jobs, water and bursaries from the airport management. Tammy Nsingwini, spokesperson for the marchers, explains that the airport management entered into an agreement with Edwaleni Communal Property Association in 2000.

“We are direct beneficiaries of the airport and entitled to 10 percent shareholding. Looking at the numbers of employees from our community in this company at all the ranks, we are not represented at all,” he said.

“Our brothers and sisters in this company are subjected to cheap labour, contractual employment and are not considered for permanent posts. There is gatekeeping and nepotism here,” he said.

He adds that they need management to respond to their demands within seven working days.
The list of demands was handed to Marius Nel, the managing director of KMI airport. He promised to respond to them within the stipulated time.

Operations at the airport were not disturbed.

White River police and the Hazyview Public Order Policing were on site, directing the flow of traffic in and out of the airport.