Residents of Reedville expressed their frustration through a protest on April 22 regarding unfinished roadworks in the area.
According to local residents and employees Sifiso Ramotshepe and Fikile Kgabo, the workers were hired in November, and work began in February.
Ramotshepe said that work in the area has been on and off for various reasons. He added that they stopped working after the subcontractor told them that there was no equipment. The equipment later arrived.
“We went back to work in March, where the digging was done, and all went to normal with the work.”
“The Easter holidays came and passed and that’s when the problem began because we could not go back to work,” explained Ramotshepe.
Kgabo said after the holidays, the team would go to the site, and that is when the subcontractor told the supervisors that he would not pay the workers for the days they went to the site but did not work.
Kgabo added that since the digging has been done and nothing is happening, the community started asking them questions for which they have no answers.
The employees met with the main contractor, who told them they cannot continue with the work because the City of Ekurhuleni has not paid him.
Kgabo expressed that the contractor who received the tender is currently working in Katlehong, adding that he has neglected them.
Sello Moeype and Sifiso Ramotshepe. Photo: Zamokuhle Ndawonde
“We were told that we would be working for three months, but now it is more than that. The community is angry about the unfinished work.”
“The area is not safe, especially with the rain and early sunset. The children now do not have an area to play in because the road is wide open.”
Another resident, Ntate Mokoena, said that car owners in the area are now leasing parking spaces from neighbours as they can’t enter their homes.
“Some of the challenges that we are facing are school transport vehicles not being able to fetch and drop off the children and when the waste service comes to the bins, we have to carry them through the mud,” expressed Mokoena.
Unfinished roadworks in Reedville has left the community frustrated. Photo: Zamokuhle Ndawonde
The residents told the publication they will not stop with the protest until the matter is resolved.
They added that the ward councillor has been avoiding them regarding the matter. Ward Clr Desmond Buitendacht said the contractor is owed money by the municipality. He explained that the contractor had a meeting with the workers.
“He reportedly explained to them that due to non-payment from the municipality, he decided to stop all works.”
“I have been communicating with the project manager and the head of the department to see how they can assist,” said the councillor
He indicated that it was unfortunate what happened and he is in talks with the roads department to pay the contractor so that he can continue with the work.
This road in Reedville has been left unfinished by the contractors. Photo: Zamokuhle Ndawonde
Local residents and employees Sifiso Ramotshepe and Fikile Kgabo. Photo: Zamokuhle Ndawonde
Rain creates a mud bath where the soil has been excavated. Photo: Zamokuhle Ndawonde
The work has also left cables exposed. Photo: Zamokuhle Ndawonde
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