Jobless residents threaten to halt R7 million dam project

MADIBA Park residents are threatening to halt the refurbishment of the Kagisho retention dam after they were denied job opportunities on the site.

They claimed that workers from Greenpoint, Thlageng, Roodepan and other areas were recruited to assist in building a low-level bridge.

“Unemployment is high. We will stop the project until we are given work,” they said.

Residents also expressed concern that stormwater would be channelled toward their shacks in the informal settlement.

“There is already a river of sewage next to our homes. We have to place stones and a piece of cardboard over the dirty water just to cross when going to work or taking our children to school.”

ANC volunteers added that they were promised jobs but were left empty-handed.

“We won’t be doing any door-to-door campaigns anymore. The Ward 8 and Ward 17 councillors must step down. Our councillor must come from Madiba Park so that they can take our concerns seriously.”

Community members also questioned what happened to a water reservoir that was built but never connected.

Ward 17 councillor Nomizizi Maputle said the refurbishment project was halted in April due to heavy rainfall, which made it impossible to continue working.

“It is a three-month project that must be completed by the end of June, to prevent the grant from being returned to Treasury. We are waiting for more funding to begin work on the other side of the dam, where more employment will be created,” she said.

She explained that the scope of work includes constructing a bridge and addressing overflowing water in the canal by using compacted sand heaps.

“The personal protective equipment for the workers recently arrived, but the project was disrupted last week, so work could not proceed,” she added.

Maputle stated that no water would be diverted into the residential area.

“The residents dug their own tunnel next to the dam. The shacks should not have been erected so close to the sewage water.” 

She noted that community meetings were held and 22 names were randomly drawn from a hat to select workers for the project.

“Two names per ward were placed in the hat. No workers were hired from outside the ward. I recognise that unemployment is high, but we urge residents to allow the project to reach completion as it is to the benefit of the community." 

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said that communal taps, JoJo tanks and portable toilets had been provided to the community.

“The refurbishment project is being funded to the tune of R7 million,” he said.