Staff Reporter
Mangaung Metro spokesperson Qondile Khedama says the municipality has elevated the issue concerning the ongoing citywide shutdown which has since turned violent to the provincial government for intervention.
He told The Free Stater that the municipality is worried with the way the protest by concerned residents over poor service delivery has turned violent with at least one life lost.
“We are really worried about the situation in the city right now,” said Khedama.
“We have since elevated the matter to COGTA (Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs) in the province and the Office of the Premier because the situation now needs their intervention,” he added.
Khedama said Premier Sisi Ntombela, who was in QwaQwa this morning for the launch of the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, told local radio station Lesedi FM that she was on her way back to Bloemfontein for an urgent meeting with COGTA, the municipality, organisers of the protest and other key stakeholders in order to address the stand-off.
“I am not sure when the meeting will take place, but when the premier was interviewed on Lesedi FM she had called an urgent meeting and was on her way back to the city,” the metro spokesperson said.
The premier’s spokesperson, Sello Pietersen, could not be reached for comment at the time of writing this article as his phone was going unanswered.
Khedama however reiterated that the city had been cooperating with business and residents associations and had been making strides in addressing some of the issues they have raised.
He said the municipality has agreed to prioritise the employment of local people but where specialised or skilled employment is concerned, it may not be limited to locals only.
“. . . however where general/semi-skilled workers are needed the city should at best localise it,” he said.
“Adverts for a further intake of general workers and critical posts will go out from 19 May 2021 and 21 May 2021 in local newspapers and on the official platforms of the municipality.”
In terms of land availability and disposal, it was agreed the legal prescripts that guide land disposal be considered and on May 21, an advert will be out for land disposal and communities are encouraged to apply.
On a request that outside contractors should not be appointed in the city, it was eventually agreed by all that it was unjust and could not be accepted by the municipality as it would disadvantage the very local people should they want to do business outside Mangaung and that it contradicts the laws of the country.
It was then agreed that subcontracting of local companies should become a must for those contractors from outside.
Khedama also said a trade waste tender was advertised and will be finalised by the end of June, among other major contracts.