KwaMbonambi protests over tender contracts
uMfolozi Small Business Forum members are calling for the removal of uMfolozi Local Municipal Manager Khulumokwakhe Gamede
PROTESTING against the non-employment of local residents by the uMfolozi Municipality, members of the uMfolozi Small Business Forum yesterday (Wednesday) marched to the municipal offices, calling for the removal of the municipal manager (MM).
‘Our grievances relate to employment and tender contracts,’ said march organiser Mdu Nxumalo.
‘The municipality does not employ residents from KwaMbonambi, but brings them in from other areas, mainly Hlabisa.
‘Our local people are educated with degrees and drivers licences and we want them to get the jobs.’
The protesters accused Municipal Manager Khulumokwakhe Gamede of selecting employees from among his relatives and friends from his home town of Hlabisa.
According to Nxumalo, one such example is the municipal tractor driver who he claims was replaced by a relative of Gamede and moved to general litter collection duties.
Forum members also demand the opportunity to quote for, and obtain, municipal tenders.
‘All tender contractors are outsiders, from Hlabisa, Johannesburg, Durban and Ulundi. We also want to be allocated tender contracts up to R2-million,’ said Nxumalo.
He also said that should a tender be given to a company from Durban, for example, uMfolozi small business members must be awarded 30% of the contract.
‘Eighteen months ago we submitted a quote to the uMfolozi Municipality for the construction of a bus shelter, but to date we have heard nothing,’ said Nxumalo.
Following the march, forum members handed a memorandum of grievances to Gamede.
At the time of going to print, Gamede was unavailable for comment.
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