UPDATE: ANCYL demands jobs at Shakaskraal factory

ANC Youth League members led jobless residents to block the R102 road last week because a local factory did not give them jobs.

Youths from from Shakaskraal, Etete, Nkobongo and Shayamoya blocked the road with broken bottles and burning tyres, saying that they were being ignored by municipal leaders and local industry.

The INSA factory in Woodmead Industrial Estate outside Shakaskraal, which makes cooking pots, recently advertised for 80 operators.

ANCYL members say that none of the 40 people employed at INSA are local.

“Why are we excluded?” one asked.

These claims were denied by INSA spokesperson Wilna Cremer. She said the factory employs nine local people and the rest are specialist contractors doing commission work only.

“We recently advertised for up to 80 operators, of which we believe most will be from the selected five wards. INSA made a commitment and is still committed to employing the majority of the factory staff from the selected five wards,” said Cremer.

She further stated when the company introduced their investment to KwaDukuza municipality in 2016, they engaged with five councillors from Wards 7, 8, 10, 23 and 28 who would be engaged in the local employment issues.

“The recruitment process that we follow is very simple. We advertise locally first and if we do not receive the required skills for the positions from the local wards, we inform KwaDukuza and the five councillors before we advertise outside these areas,” said Cremer.

Commenting on the protest, Ilembe Chamber of Commerce CEO Cobus Oelofse said the protest not only harmed businesses trading in the wider area and prevented workers from earning an income, but most concerning, it dealt yet another blow to the investor reputation of the district.

“What is especially disappointing is that the unrest also comes less than two weeks after President Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of restoring investor and business confidence to ensure economic growth and job creation.

“Ramaphosa also emphasised the importance of successful economic zones in close proximity to communities, of which the Woodmead Development is a perfect example,” said Oelofse.

A meeting between KDM officials, councillors and the youth league was to be held this week.

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