Mams mall construction disrupted again
“It is disappointing that people who are not even from the area are threatening jobs opportunities for the people of Mamelodi.”
Construction at Mams mall was disrupted again on Monday and Tuesday.
Mams Mall owner New Africa Development (NAD) blamed the delay on people masquerading as community representatives “but not residents of Mamelodi”.
NAD CEO Japie van Niekerk said the disruption would not derail the plan to open the mall in November thanks to an agreement between the owner, residents, Mamelodi police and construction security officials.
He said the two days work that was lost would be made up.
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Construction has been dogged by what NAD called “increasingly aggressive incidents of intimidation, manipulation and extortion”.
NAD had obtained a court interdict against the intimidators. Van Niekerk said that the police were investigating and hopefully would make an arrest very soon, adding that the Mamelodi police assured him that offenders would be dealt with to the full extent of the law.
“Future attempts to halt or delay the business operation of Mamelodi Plaza and the construction of Mams Mall will not be tolerated.”
He reminded residents that construction work only creates short-term employment.
“The real benefit comes once the mall starts trading on 21 November, as this is when permanent employment positions become available and Mamelodi residents can create a long-term future for themselves and their families.”
An employment database had already been created and was updated on an ongoing basis so that everyone had an equal and fair chance of employment. Nearly 4 000 had registered on the database in the first two weeks.
Approximately 5 000 jobs were created during construction.
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“The three individuals continue their relentless efforts to intimidate and extort in order to capture the project solely to unlawfully enrich themselves,” Van Niekerk explained, adding that the individuals were not even residents of Mamelodi.
“They reside in luxury residential estates well away from the people who would benefit most from the potential employment opportunities created by Mams Mall.”
He encouraged the people of Mamelodi to protect their right to free and fair employment without the fear of intimidation. He urged them not to be manipulated by these criminals, through misinformation and blatant lies.
“Our company has a proven track record of creating employment and uplifting communities through fair business practices, and it is disappointing to see such an opportunity for the people of Mamelodi being jeopardised by a few individuals who are not even from Mamelodi.”
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