SIYABUSWA– The community of Ga-Phaahla in Ward 1 took to the street and stopped construction of municipal projects on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
The angry community members have accused the ward councilor David Msiza of giving work to family, friends and relatives.
The impasse temporarily brought the construction of Ga Phaahla sewer outfall, sewer reticulation and precast toilets phase 3 to a halt.
“When the first phase began, the community was informed. They went to the community hall where they collected IDs from community members so that they have a fair chance of hiring all people. But for this phase, the counselor did not do that,” Sonto Mahlangu, a resident of Ga Phaahla, told the paper.
“We woke up one morning and we found people working. As to when or how they were hired. No one knows, but they are working.”
Mahlangu further said that the counselor did not honour commitment of using a free and fair hiring process. “Instead we see people getting jobs because they are ANC members. Others are repeating themselves, of which the counselor said at the beginning of the project that no one will repeat themselves in all phases,” she said.
The main contractor Sipho Msiza of Stickson General Trading recounted huge financial losses caused by work stoppage. “It’s a waste of money for me,” he said.
Msiza further requested a meeting with the councilor.
He also emphasized that the community does not have a problem with the project itself. “They just have a problem with the councilor, so they should not involve the project in their squabbles,” said.
Msiza pleaded with the community that whenever they have problems, they should call him directly, so that he could come and resolve them together with the counselor instead of halting the project that will lead to delays.
Work resumed after the main contractor pleaded with the community. Attempts to get a comment from the municipality just drew a blank as the municipal spokesperson did not respond to questions.
