Angry community blocks R66 to demand jobs
A MEETING was called for
Sunday (yesterday) to address a dispute about the hiring of employees for contract work in the Ndundulu area.
On Wednesday police had to use rubber bullets and teargas to disperse an angry crowd that blocked the R66 in Ndundulu.
The protesting residents demanded to be informed about the criteria used when hiring expanded public works programme (EPWP) employees.
It is alleged that Ward 8 Councillor, Msawenkosi Mchunu, hired 15 people who he identified as the most needy, but this did not go down well with other community members.
They took to the streets to voice their frustrations, and according to one resident, Mthonjaneni Mayor Sibonginkosi Biyela intervened and asked for a community meeting to address the issue.
‘The meeting was held on Tuesday, but it was disrupted by some irate community members who chased the mayor away,’ said the resident.
Biyela said his municipality was aware of the project.
‘This is not an EPWP programme. When we questioned the local council about it, we discovered that this was another project called Go Green.
‘We were told that the project was meant for ANC members only and not for the entire community. That’s why the community demanded to be included, as they were unemployed as well,’ said Biyela.
Attempts to obtain comment from Cllr Mchunu were unsuccessful.
ANC branch secretary, Sicelo Shange, confirmed that the project belongs to a businessman affiliated to the ANC and the recruitment was done through the War Room.
‘The aim of the project was to help needy community members. I understand that there were some hiccups here and there during the recruitment process, but I can confirm some IFP members have also been recruited.
‘We have scheduled a meeting with Cllr Mchunu, who is also the branch chairperson,’ he said.
King Cetshwayo police cluster spokesperson, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose, said public order police have been deployed to monitor the situation, as protesters have blocked the busy R66 several times.