Angry residents of Machaben City are calling on the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to investigate corruption charges against convicted executive mayor Tandusolo Khalifa.
Residents marched on the streets of Tabon demanding services and employment opportunities.
The march comes a day before Mr Khalifa is scheduled to be sentenced at the Odendaals Magistrate's Court on one count of assault and two counts of assault.
Service delivery and job opportunities are at the forefront of the march's agenda, as residents say they live in squalid conditions where sewage spills are common.
Mining towns also have high unemployment rates. Residents say they have been neglected when it comes to hiring.
“I joined the march to say no to nepotism, to say no to corruption, to say no to dirty sewage.Recently, a lawsuit was opened against some MMCs, more specifically the MMC of LED. There is,” says a resident.
Another resident added: “We're here because there are jobs. We want jobs.”
“There is no way young people in Machaben should remain unemployed when there are ghost workers in the municipality. We want them to be addressed,” the resident explains.
There were allegations that Mr. Khalifa had appointed personnel without going through proper procedures.
“What we were actually made aware of today in March of this year is the issue of lack of service delivery and employment opportunities. As we pointed out in our memorandum, there are many issues. But the main The issue is about a convicted mayor and the ANC PEC that sent him is delaying this,” said Mpho Masshai of the Local Business Forum.
They are demanding that the SIU launch an investigation.
“We organized a march to ensure that we conveyed their demands to the Office of the President and for the SIU to come and look into all the issues they are complaining about. will not be taken away from us,” said Sima Mahlatsi, executive director of Machhaben Community Foundation.
Residents are calling on the government to create jobs.
Residents of Machaben are looking for jobs such as:
