Services at the Pikitup Randburg Depot came to a standstill again on March 3 when protesting residents blocked trucks from leaving for their rounds.
A group of residents from Kya Sands, Cosmo, Honeydew, Msawawa, and surrounding areas gathered at the depot early in the morning, demanding answers from management about why they were overlooked for jobs despite some having volunteered or worked as contractors.
Phumelele Mgunuzo of the South African Communities Development Agency NPO, which supports residents in wards 100, 134, 115, 105, and 96, claimed Pikitup has consistently failed to hire locals.
“The last people hired from Kya Sands were in 2012. In 2023, one person was hired out of 300. How is that possible? Every time they hire, it’s their families and their people. It hurts to see outsiders taking our jobs.”
He added that while job adverts specify applicants must live within the Randburg area, hires are often made from outside. Protesters claimed they have met with management but feel their concerns are ignored.
“Some people here have been volunteering for years, but they are overlooked. The entity always brings people we do not know and some who never volunteered.” Protester Kgalane Sekgobela said the group will continue blocking trucks until their demands are addressed.
“We are from different communities, and all we are saying is that you hire at least 50 from our side. We are also going to write to the Public Protector and demand investigations into how these recruitment processes work.”
Residents said they are standing up for themselves as Randburg communities and want fair opportunities. Sekgobela stressed they are prepared to continue until their issues are resolved.
“We have time, and there will be no service running. We will be here until late at night. We will make sure they feel the pressure.”
It remains unclear when services will resume at the depot. Questions were sent to Pikitup, and their response will be published once available. The group continues to protest outside the depot, vowing to keep blocking operations until management engages with them.
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