Electronics factories did not happen

It was cheers and applause when Buffalo City Metro mayor Xola Pakati and his delegation came back from China in 2017 promising to deliver 400 new permanent jobs.

However, more than one year after a deal was “signed”, no jobs have been delivered.

In July 2017 the Daily Dispatch reported that four new electronics factories were expected to be established in BCM by the end of the year, providing at least 400 permanent new jobs.

Pakati signed the deal with the city of Chongqing in China when he and five other delegates visited.

At the time, he told the Dispatch that early indications were that at least 400 permanent jobs would be created when the factories officially opened in November 2017.

He said no new buildings would be built as the factories, which would manufacture electronic devices including computers and cellphones, would be housed at the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ).

On Tuesday, when the Daily Dispatch asked about the 400 jobs, Pakati denied ever making the promise.

Pakati’s spokesperson Luzuko Buku said the mayor was aware that attracting investment took time.

“As such, he never made a commitment that four Chinese investors will locate in the city in four months [from July to November in 2017]. This remains work in progress.

“The city has, however, entered into a number of partnerships and economic co-operation agreements with Chinese cities such as Chongqing, the city of Jinhua and the Yubei District.

“Over the last few years, there have been numerous visits by Chinese political and business leaders into our city with the intention of exploring its potential and finally locating in the city. A recent visit happened last month with a visit by rep-

Asked about the 400 jobs, Pakati denied ever making the promise

resentatives of the cities of Jinhua and Lanxi in China and the city took this opportunity to lobby our Chinese counterparts about the need to invest in the expansion of the port of East London,” Buku said.

DA caucus leader Terence Fritz said instead of promised jobs, the metro’s unemployment rate had increased.

He said it was surprising how BCM leaders had said they would open four factories in months while they had failed to deliver houses to the Breidbach community for 15 years.