Mamelodi’s municipal services down as residents protest over jobs

Residents from Mamelodi, who claim they signed six months contracts for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) jobs, disrupted services at municipal offices on Monday afternoon demanding their jobs.

The group, from different wards in Mamelodi, were complaining about corruption and nepotism and claimed their jobs were sold to family members by corrupt municipal officials.

One of the protestors, Lehlogonolo Boroko said they signed six months contracts with EPWP last year December for jobs and handed in everything needed for the job.

The protest comes after they were told their names don’t appear in the database of employees at the municipality.

She said they handed in ID copies and banks statements with their signed contracts last December. After that, they were all told to come and collect work suits on January 3.

“We came and never received any work suits. We were given a different time to come and collect works suits which we never received up to date,” said Boroko.

However, we were told not to worry because we will get paid a full salary for January, while we were waiting for work suits.

The residents barricaded the entrance of the municipal offices with burning tyres.

Arinda Ntuli said, “We left our homes thinking that we have found jobs and we will be able to put food on the table for our children.

“Corruption and nepotism by municipal officials and ward councillors have taken away our lifetime opportunity,” said Ntuli.

She further said it is sad because among the group who signed the contracts are people who resigned from their previous jobs with the idea of starting a new life.

The protestors vowed to continue disrupting the services until their demand are met.

Tshepiso Thobejane said the Tshwane mayor should come and witness the corruption at Mamelodi’s municipal offices.

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“It is about time that the city of Tshwane deals with corrupt officials because they hire only family members and friends or people who have money,” said Thobejane.

“We want our jobs as promised and if we are not on the database of people hired for the EPWP, we want to find out what happened to our contracts,” said Thobejane.

Phumzile Mamaila added that she is still shocked about the news that she was not hired.

“I told my family I have found a new job and will be able to support them,” said Mamaila.

She said from the beginning of the year she went to the municipal office thinking she will go back home with her work suits, but every time she is given different dates and sent from pillar to post.

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the City was aware of the demonstration that took place at the municipal offices in Mamelodi.

However, it did not have a major impact on municipal services in the region.

“We will appreciate if those that claim that councillors are hiring their own people to bring such information forward so that the matter can be investigated,” said Mashigo.

Mashigo said it goes without saying that if somebody has signed a contract, there is no way that the city cannot employ such a person.

“We are again urging those people to come forward and present proof of the contracts they claim to have signed,”

The city prides itself in utilising a fair and transparent recruitment process when recruiting EPWP employees,” said Mashigo.

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