The big four must fall, says residents
Greenside residents from Ward 8 say they want four people known as the "big four" within their community to stop interfering when it comes to the allocation of jobs
POLOKWANE – According to residents, these four men force contractors who are employed to do roadworks to hire people brought by them.
“If they find that locals employed are from Greenside, they threaten to stop the roadworks proceedings,” says community leader, Godfrey Masoga.
Angry residents marched to the Polokwane Municipality offices last week Friday to hand-over a memorandum, demanding the municipality to intervene and to not be controlled by the big four, who according to the angry residents, are sticking their noses by always wanting their families and friends to be employed.
“As Ward 8 residents, we feel that we are sidelined to also benefit from these projects as we all know that unemployment rate is too high. As a leader in this area, we are the ones who can identify needy people who can benefit from these projects but it’s unfortunate we are unable to change the lives of our people because of the so called big four,” says Masoga.
Masoga claims the municipality is aware of this matter but instead they are turning a blind eye to the issue. This is causing division among our people and they want the municipality to intervene as soon as possible, according to Masoga.
He stated that the projects of Ward 8 should empower locals not people from other wards.
Polokwane Municipality chief whip, Mamedupi Teffo, welcomed and signed the memorandum on behalf of the mayor.
“The memorandum will be taken straight to the office of the mayor where we are going see how we can attend the residents’ demands. A response will be given after seven working days. As a municipality our mandate is to take services to the people in a way that everyone will be gratified,” said Teffo.
