Local contractors shut down VUT amid job inclusion headaches
Angry members of the Amandla Business Forum barricade Andries Potgieter Boulevard with burning tyres and barrier nets outside VUT as they demand inclusion in university infrastructure projects and more opportunities for local businesses.
VANDERBIJLPARK – Chaos erupted outside the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) as angry members of the Amandla Business Forum blocked Andries Potgieter Boulevard with burning tyres, barrier nets and debris, demanding a share of university projects.
The dramatic protest has brought traffic to a standstill as thick smoke filled the air while heavily armed private security officers guarded the university gates.
The demonstration comes just days after the same group blocked the institution’s main entrance with vehicles in a bid to force management to engage with them.
The protesters claim local businesses have been sidelined from lucrative VUT infrastructure projects despite repeated attempts to engage the university.
Among the projects currently underway is major electrical infrastructure and structural pavilion repairs at Isak Steyl Stadium.
Recently, a R5m science laboratory revamp was completed and handed over at the Life Sciences Building.
In a memorandum handed to the university, the forum demands an end to the exclusion of local SMMEs from procurement opportunities, greater transparency on the supplier database, a review of Community Liaison Officer (CLO) appointments and local employment opportunities.
“This memorandum consolidates repeated, protracted attempts by local business forums to engage VUT management in good faith,” the memorandum states.
Forum Secretary Moses Seloane said local businesses have been knocking on VUT’s door since 2024 without success.
“We’ve tried to engage the institution for job opportunities, but management has not been willing to come to the table. We even involved the police and other stakeholders, but nothing has changed,” he said.
Forum chairperson Teboho Morobe said the protest was the only option left.
“We prepared a memorandum for management, but they refuse to meet us. We had to demonstrate to show that we mean business. All we want is fair access to business opportunities,” he said.
Morobe added that forum members see construction work at the university every day but claim none of the contracts benefit local businesses.
“We’ve exhausted every avenue. That’s why we’ve escalated to a full-blown protest.”
By the time of publication, VUT had not issued an official response to the protest.
This is a developing story.
