A group of people from Ekurhuleni picketing outside Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s office. Photo by Asive Dyani
GAUTENG Premier Panyaza Lesufi is under fire.
This as one of his initiatives to fight unemployment and crime in the province fails to deliver. Â
Scores of people from Ekurhuleni gathered outside Panyaza’s office on Wednesday, 11 September, to deliver a memorandum of demands for employment after they allegedly went through all the necessary recruitment processes to be trained as traffic wardens in 2023. Â
This programme was launched in 2022 by the premier to address crime.Â
They chanted outside the premier’s office: “Panyaza, what have we done? Why are you doing this to us?” Leader of the group, Lungiswa Nyoni, said she did a physical assessment in July 2023 but never received any feedback.Â
“Every time we ask about our status, they always tell us that there’s another group currently in the training college. Before, they took the Coloured group, Indians, and hostel residents. When we went back in April, they told us that only veterans were going while we were still waiting,” claimed Lungiswa. Â
She mentioned that some people have gone for training and returned to work while they’re still waiting in limbo. Â
“All we want is for the premier to give us the date as to when are they sending us to the college,” she said.Â
Group of people of Ekurhuleni pocketing outside the Premier’s office to get employment.
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Another unhappy resident, Sibusiso Ngema (44), said he wrote tests, did physical assessments, provided fingerprints, and even had his uniform size taken.
“Up to now, I haven’t received the actual date of when I am going to the college. Every time I enquire, they tell me the process is still ongoing. Then they stopped and told us they are taking certain targeted groups,” said Sibusiso. Â
He feels like they raised their hopes for nothing.Â
“At my age, this is my only hope. I have kids who are depending on me. I’ve been unemployed for five years, and I thought this was my chance to change my home situation,” he said.Â
Tieho Nyenye (30) said after she had completed the required processes, she was told she’d receive a call within two weeks, which has now turned into a year. Â
“We gave them a chance to recruit their targeted groups, but now it’s time for the premier to tell us what is really going on with our group,” said Tieho. Â
Romeo Mkone, who accepted the memorandum on behalf of premier Lesufi, said they need 14 working days to respond to the memorandum.Â
“We’ve started the engagements with the Department of Community Safety, and they’ll be in the position to find out what transpired,” said Mokone.Â
Asive Dyani
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