Protesters disrupt Mams Mall opening
The residents claimed that their CVs were thrown away at the nearby dumping site.
While residents of Mamelodi are enjoying shopping at the new Mams Mall, a group of people tried to disrupt the official opening of the mall.
More than 500 residents in the far east of Mamelodi were busy demonstrating outside the mall demanding jobs.
Community representative, Sipho Mtshweni said they were not happy with the criteria the mall used to hire people.
They claimed that the people who have been hired were mostly ANC members while others did not live in Mamelodi.
“This is a peaceful demonstration we are not fighting anyone we are here to demand answers from the management of the Mall about the criteria they have used to hire people at the mall.”
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Another resident Thabo Sikalala claimed that Ward councillor Absalom Borotho was the one behind the hiring of people at the mall.
“He was also responsible for the hiring of construction workers during the building of the mall and if you are not a member of ANC you won’t get a job.”
He further said the residents followed the right procedure to apply for jobs online or hand-deliver their CVs.
However, the residents claimed that their CVs were thrown away at the nearby dumping site.
The angry residents claimed only 10% locals were employed and the rest of the workers were from outside Mamelodi as far as Hammanskraal, Kwa-Mhlangu and Soshanguve.
The community said they were not happy at how the police handled the protest because they fired stun grenades and rubber bullets at the community.
“They could have shot innocent people who came to do their shopping,” they said.
Terry Mabowa EFF Pro councillor in Ward 17 said he was disappointed by the whole procedure of hiring people.
Mabowa said: “We are continuing with the demonstration until our demand is met.”
Police spokesperson Captain Michael Mbewe said there will be police visibility at the mall until the situation calmed.
“Our job today is making sure that there is peace around the Mall and make sure there is no crime,” he said.
“As long as there a is mall, there will [be] police visibility and we will deploy our members to patrol the mall for safety.”
Mams mall was contacted for comment and offered to respond later.
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