Contractor abandoned scary holes

Ga-Mashabela

Irritated residents in Mahlakanaseleng have continuously raised disturbing concern after contractor abandoned toilet project incomplete.

Mashabela community in ward 25, in the Makhuduthamaga local municipality, has accused Moribo Wa Afrika of failed to pay some of its workers for two months.

Unpaid workers have since stayed away from reporting for duty demanding their wages.

Steering committee in the area said over 80 toilets should be built for people who never had municipal toilet.

But poor procedure of introducing project to royal family, manner in which workers have appointed resulted in tension between municipal workers and steering committee.

Steering committee made several accusation against its ANC ward councillor Paul Diketane and ward committee Mokgohlwe Seshothela.

“We expected the project manager to at least introduce himself to royal family before starting to work in our area,” explained members of the steering committee.

Residents called an urgent meeting invited Diketane, Mokgohlwe and project manager to ask why they never went to royal family but we were shocked to learn that project manager has since delegated ward councillor who never bothered himself to do that.

Member of the steering committee, Ngwato Sello, said ward councillor and ward committee forced the project to start.

“They violated employment equity act and basic condition employment and labour relation act,” said Ngwato.

“They dig holes in people’s yard and they abandoned them. We wanted to do things properly so we could hold whoever is responsible ,accountable. Look now, people faced with unsafe holes and some have issue of not been paid,” explained Ngwato.

Ngwato is concerned about the safety of children in the area especially during this rainy season. He asked who would account if anyone fall into the hole.

He also accuses Diketane of claiming money which were meant for development in the area.

“We wished if the contractor could build us a bridge in our area and fixing the pomp after the project but we were told Diketane has already claimed the money,” revealed Ngwato

Before contractor left 41 toilets were completed while 39 remain incomplete and no one knows anything when to be completed.