The Rep 26 March 2021

More documents

Recommendations

Info

2 Tel: (045) 839-4040 / editorial: mjekulal@therep.co.za / advertising: charodinev@therep.co.za 26 March 2021 THE R E P R ES E N TAT I V EPolice station revamp protestTender seenas lackingt r a n s p a re n c yANDISA BONANIMembers of the HewuCivic Organisationmarched to theWhittlesea Police Station toquestion the lack oftransparency in the employmentof locals, and the 30%beneficiation of small, mediumand micro enterprises (SMME)in a R13m Whittlesea PoliceStation renovation tender, onTu e s d ay.The group of residentshanded over a memorandum ofdemands to the site manager ofthe project, where they citedtheir dissatisfaction about thelack of involvement of thecommunity as is normally donewith other projects.One of top priorities in thememorandum was ANCcouncillor PapamaDISGRUNTLED COMMUNITY: Members of the Hewu Civic Organisation marched to theWhittlesea Police Station to submit a memorandum of demands Picture: SUPPLIEDMadubedube, who members ofthe organisation dubbed a“bulldozer” for thinking thebuck started and stopped withhim in matters concerning thec o m m u n i t y.The organisation treasurer,Ayanda Mxhosana, indicatedthat Madubedube appointed afew locals of his choice,including the communityliaison officer (CLO) withoutconsulting the community.“Normally when acontractor is going to work in aparticular area it is introduced tothe community by thecouncillor so that theemployment of local people isdiscussed, but that did nothappen. The councillorappointed a CLO, which is not adeployment post, but wassupposed to have beenadvertised so that transparentand fair processes could beconducted.“There was supposed to be acommunity meeting to informthe people about the position sothat suitable candidates coulda p p l y,” he said.Mxhosana said thecouncillor thought he could hireand fire people in communityprojects as he pleased and thathe was untouchable.“There are two gentlementhat he fired, and appointed thechildren of well-known people.“We did not speak to himabout our concerns becausewhen we established thisorganisation we invited him, asthe councillor of this area, so wecould work together, but herefused to meet with us andinstead brought in ANCp e o p l e ,” said Mxhosana.The treasurer said they werealso not satisfied with the lack oftransparency when it came tothe national policy of 30%SMME beneficiation.“This is a R13m project andwe are not quite sure about thebeneficiation of local SMMEs.There is no transparency aboutthe SMME involvement, but thecontractor said he would meetwith us on Thursday to discussthe matter further.”EMLM spokespersonLonwabo Kowa said the projectwas initiated by the departmentof public works last year andthat Madubedube got involvedthrough a meeting co-ordinatedby the community policingforum.“Madubedube advocated forthe introduction of the project tocommunities who had noknowledge of it at the time.“An advert for the position ofthe CLO was published andinterested individuals sent theirapplications. After therecruitment process wasconducted an appointment wasmade.“Currently, over 15 localpeople of ward 19 to 27 havebeen employed in the project.Furthermore, 15 young peoplefrom surrounding wards willparticipate in a learnershipprogramme which also formspart of this project.“It is unfortunate that somelocal organisations are makingdemands to be responsible forrecruitment of labourers for thep r o j e c t ,” said Kowa.Parolees getjobs chance attrain stationsABONGILES O L U N D WA N AFifteen ex-offenders from theChris Hani District who are outon parole are set for workplacement at train stations in theregion from April 1.They will be part of 80parolees who will benefit fromthe programme in the province.The six-month programme,formed by the department oftransport, Prasa and correctionalservices, aims to uplift exoffenderswho experiencedifficulty in accessing the jobBEEF BRISKET FRESHPORK CUTLETS / ROASTTOMATO SAUSAGEPORKIE BANGERSCOASTAL VIEW MILK 6X1LTELVIN CONCENTRATE JUICE 1.25LTSUPER WHITE SAMP 12.5KGPORK SHOULDER RIBSONIONS 4KGFROZEN BROCCOLI LOOSER72.99 KGR49.99 KGR46.99 KGR49.99 KGR69.99 EAR20.99 EAR76.99 EAR64.99 KGR26.99 EAR22.99 KGWE ARE CLOSED SUNDAY THE 28 TH MARCHE&OE-WHILE STOCKS LAST-LIMITED QUANTITIES WE RESERVETHE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW SPECIALS WITHOUT NOTICESPECIALS VALID FOR THE26 TH AND THE 27 TH MARCHmarket due to criminal records.The programme, which seeks toaddress stigmatisation, prevent areversal to crime, and give achance to ex-offenders to earn adecent living, will target areaswith railway stations.Eastern Cape Prasa facilitiesand technical division head ofdepartment, Gcobisa Ndandani,announced the news during theinduction of the parolees at theQueenstown station on Tuesday.The ex-offenders whoattended were from Komani,Cradock, Burgersdorp,Middelburg and Somerset East.¿24 Prince Alfred Street, Komani PO Box 453, Komani, 5319 045 839 4040 / Fax: 045 839 4059 Chris van Heerden, vanheerdenc@arena.africaLuvuyo Mjekula, mjekulal@therep.co.zaCharodine Visagie, charodinev@therep.co.zawww.therep.co.za@RepKomaniCOLLISION AT THE ROBOTSThe national Prasa pilotprogramme is in partnershipwith the department of transportand the department ofcorrectional services (DCS).Ndandani said the paroleeswould be paid a stipend ofR2,500 for rendering cleaningservices and the managers werenegotiating with the office of thet r e a s u r y.“Their work will includegrass cutting, cleaning theoperating environment, thetrains and looking after theablution facilities.“Most toilets are eitherclosed or dysfunctional andPrasa is losing many customersdue to their unhygienic state.“We want to bring back thedignity of commuters,”Ndandani said.Thehe programme wassupposed to begin in March, butdue to hitches was moved toApril.He said medical surveillancewould be conducted before theparolees started work in thetowns where they were from.Though some employeeshad expressed concern aboutworking with ex-convicts,The Rep Komanithe_rep_komaniThe Rep subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and OnlineMedia that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don’t live upŽŚĞŽĚĞŝŚŝŶĚĂŽĨŚĞĚĂĞŽĨďůŝĐĂŽŶŽĨŚĞŵĂĞŝĂůůĞĂĞĐŽŶĂĐŚĞďůŝĐĚŽĐĂĞĂĨĂŽĐĂŶĂůŽĐŽŶĂĐŽĂĞĸĐĞŽŶŬŚĂŶŝŵΛŽŵďĚŵĂŶŽŐĂŽůŽĚŐĞĂĐŽŵůĂŝŶŽŶŽĞďŝĞĞĐŽŶĐŝůŽŐĂNdandani said correctionalservices officials wouldcontinue to monitor themduring working hours.Parolee Sisanda Bukula,from Molteno, said: “I feelhappy to get this job.“I will be able to cover mostof my expenses and meet myn e e d s .”Bukula said it was difficult toget work as an ex-convict.“Sometimes I apply for work,but I am told my criminal recordis not cleared. I need to wait forthat period to be over.”DCS Sada management areacoordinator, Ndzimeni Cekiso,said Prasa was giving theparolees a chance.A police vehiclecollided with a VWGolf at theCathcart Road andGriffiths Streetintersection onThursday morning.PolicespokespersonCapt NamhlaMdleleni was atthe scene and toldThe Rep that noone sustained anyinjuries in thecollision P i c t u re :LUVUYO MJEKULACekiso urged the paroleesnot to return to their formercriminal activities, but to focuson acquiring new skills.“This is a lifetimeo p p o r t u n i t y, “ Cekiso said.“You know there is a stigmabecause no one wants toemploy you, they lose interestwhen they find out you havebeen in prison.“People do not know thatcorrectional services is a placewhere people are rehabilitatedto change.“DCS approached Prasabecause we have people withdegrees and skills who aresitting idle and we are gratefulfor their response,” he said.MONDAY12 APRIL 2021Dr Christiane Practice (Wendy)41 Grey Street, 045 838 1671Dave 083 460 6503
THE REPRESENTATIVE 26 March 2021 Tel: (045) 839-4040 / editorial: mjekulal@therep.co.za / advertising: charodinev@therep.co.za 3Water billsf o r w a rd e dto BKCOBTIDYING UP MLUNGISIChamber says businesses can'tpay when meters not readABONGILES O L U N D WA N AAlist of accounts ofbusinesses that ow eChris Hani DistrictMunicipality for water wasdistributed to the Border KeiChamber of Business (BKCOB)for its members to begin talkswith CHDM after its water cutannouncement.The list was issued after thech a m b e r ’s recent stakeholderengagement with CHDM.According BKCOB secretaryAdre Bartis businesses are nothappy with accounts not beingmailed to them monthly,inaccurate meter readings andaccount duplication whichresulted after CHDM took overthe water services from theformer Lukhanji Municipality.Bartis said businesses weremore than willing to pay,provided these issues were dealtwith. She added failure to do somay lead to a dispute.“The accounts were forbusinesses which have not paid.“The municipality has notbeen taking meter readings forthree years.“The current billing peopleare receiving is incorrect - themeters have not been read.”She said businesses couldnot pay for something they hadnot used.“It does not make sense. Themunicipality needs to sort outthe system.”According to Bartis, whenCHDM took over the waterservices from the formerLukhanji Municipality, it addednew digits on account numbers,which meant some peoplereceived two accounts.“That is why there isduplication. This means if a newtenant moves into a place theyare billed for the previousWorkers from the department of environmental affairs were seen cleaning up parts of Top Street and other areas in MlungisiTownship on Wednesday, to the admiration of local resident, Monwabisi Mgijima, who was passing by. ‘At first I was not happybecause I was born here in Mlungisi but people who are not from here have been talking about the filthy state of our town.Even the premier [Oscar Mabuyane] was ashamed.’ Mgijima encouraged the cleaners to continue with the cleanup. One of theworkers urged residents to wait for the municipal refuse truck to collect their garbage Picture: LUVUYO MJEKULAtenants as well. CHDM now hasthe old tenant and the new one.“This is not just aboutsending out billing, but makingsure it is accurate, because ifthey are not reading meters, thebilling will not be accurate.”BKCOB had raised theseissues with the municipality.“We raised these matters inthe IDP with CHDM.“The municipality toldBKCOB they were aware of thebilling issues and were workingon a new system.”Customers were also facedwith the difficulty of getting theirbilling queries addressed.“When people go to themunicipal office to resolveissues, nobody wants to takeresponsibility. People are sentfrom Peter to Paul. The onlyanswer one gets is that one mustpay the account.“BKCOB has been takingsteps to resolve matters andhighlight issues and we willcontinue doing so.”CHDM spokespersonBulelwa Ganyaza said thedistrict municipality hadembarked on a data-cleaningproject.“Among others, the processwill help counter the challengesassociated with customer datawhich has an immense impacton revenue collection.“In addition, Smart meteringmust be introduced toaccurately measure customerconsumption. This has beenprioritised to resolve billingrelatedissues. Procurementprocesses are underway.“Customers who had billingrelatedenquiries must contactthe municipal revenue officesacross the district or e-mailc u s t o m e rc a r e @ ch r i s h a n i d m .gov.za, Ganyaza said.52%offbrakes52%offshocksqueenstown 8 council crescent, 045 838-1675queenstownwww.tyresandmore.com• terms & conditions apply • promotion only valid in sa • promotion valid 15 March - 31 May 2021 • while stocks last • fleet cards welcome • errors & omissions excepted• shocks are quoted per set of 2 & excludes mounting & protection kits & alignment • brakes are quoted per set of 2T&M/0383/01/SPARK Copyright © 2021
Page 1: RepFr i d ay, 26March 2021THER6.50
Page 5 and 6: THE REPRESENTATIVE 26 March 2021 Te

The Rep 26 March 2021

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?