Housing project contractor locked out
Angry residents demand that concerns must be addressed
ANGRY protesters brought operations by Thokgoga Projects cc, one of the company’s appointed to install bulk services for the Aquadene Housing Project, to a standstill on Wednesday morning.
Upset over the appointment of an outside sub-contractor, lack of safety regulations and barricades at construction sites and not employing a workforce from Ward 26, protesters gathered outside the company site in Brackenham to raise their concerns.
They went a step further by locking the site premises to stop operations and keep employees out until the issues have been resolved.
The company is installing sewage infrastructure for the Aquadene housing development which will cater for employed people who do not qualify for a bond, as well as 1 500 rental units and 650 low cost houses.
Addressing the group, ward committee member and Project Steering Committee Chairperson Phillip Stainbank said operations will not proceed until their concerns are addressed.
‘There are big trenches along the road, but no safety measures to prevent accidents from occurring.
‘School children are walking past these areas and a child could fall in and be injured.
‘We are also unhappy about the expanded public workers programme members who were replaced with people from outside the area.
‘The majority of the sub-contracting companies being used on this project are white-owned, while our agreement stipulates the use of local BBBEE compliant companies.
‘The sub-contractors have now employed workers but not one of them are from our communities.
‘We want our locals to benefit from this project, especially our unemployed youth,’ said Stainbank.
Complaints
Meanwhile, Ward 26 councillor Leslie Joseph said he is disappointed by the main contractor.
‘Residents have raised complaints about their fences and boundary walls being removed, replaced and now being removed again.
‘It is a security risk for residents, and we know that crime is a major problem in Brackenham.
‘We have not received any feedback or updates from the contractor as to how the project is going.
‘There are delays with this project and this is further delaying our Aquadene Housing Project.
‘I have reported the matter to the City of uMhlathuze Municipal Manager, Dr N Sibeko, and officials.’
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