Latest news with #Emfuleni
IOL News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
Emfuleni's job raffle causes quite a stir
The Emfuleni job raffle, intended to fill just 100 general worker positions for residents of Wards 36 and 37, follows the Gauteng Department of Transport's recent allocation of R138 million to fast-track the long-overdue completion of the Sebokeng Driving Licence Testing Centre. The process raises questions about fairness and gender equality. Image: File IN A controversial approach to reduce unemployment, Emfuleni Municipality recently organised a job raffle, which it claims provides equal opportunity. However, this initiative has led to public outcry over issues of fairness and transparency. The selection process was held at the Sebokeng Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC), where hundreds of hopeful job seekers lined up in queues so long they resembled an election day, all anxiously waiting to hear if their names would be drawn in the lottery-style selection process. A boy was asked to pick out the lucky names. The job raffle, intended to fill just 100 general worker positions for residents of Wards 36 and 37, follows the Gauteng Department of Transport's recent allocation of R138 million to fast-track the long-overdue completion of the Sebokeng Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC). Watch the video here: Many residents expressed frustration over the unexpected shift in the application process, explaining that they were originally told to hand in their CVs and qualifications sealed in envelopes at the Sebokeng DLTC. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading A resident from Zone 7, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared her deep frustration and disappointment with how the job raffle was handled. She explained that when news of the general worker positions broke, she followed every instruction carefully, submitting her CV in a brown envelope along with certified copies of her qualifications, just as required. She used what little money she had to make copies, get them certified, and purchase an envelope, hopeful that her dedication and qualifications would improve her chances of being selected. 'I was excited and hopeful. As a mother of three, it's hard watching your children grow up without the stability of a steady income. I thought this was finally my chance,' she said, her voice breaking. 'But it felt like all that effort was wasted. We were later told to just write our names on a piece of paper and drop it in a box, like a lucky draw. It was heartbreaking. I had hoped that my qualifications and my willingness to work would count for something.' She also questioned the fairness of the selection process, expressing frustration that some of the individuals chosen appeared unfit, uninterested, or too old to perform the required duties. Pearl also voiced concerns about gender inequality in the selection process, stating that the outcome appeared to heavily favour men. She was particularly frustrated by the method used, where the young boy was tasked with drawing names from a box and handing them to the councillors, who then called them out, raising questions about transparency and fairness. 'Out of the 100 selected candidates, only 23 were females, while the remaining 77 were males. This doesn't reflect a fair or balanced opportunity for women, especially when many of us are equally qualified and just as desperate for work,' she added. Tshepang Motaung, a resident of Ward 36 and a struggling father of five, also echoed Pearl's concerns. He expressed deep disappointment with the outcome of the job raffle, saying that despite having multiple qualifications and years of work experience, he was still overlooked. Finance MMC and Ward 37 Councillor Hassan Mako told The Star that the raffle process was conducted transparently and fairly, ensuring inclusivity for all community members. Mako explained that he and Ward 36 Councillor Mpho Kodisang jointly decided the job raffle was the fairest approach, aiming to prevent any allegations of interference in the recruitment process. 'The raffle process was a decision agreed upon by both Councillor Kodisang from Ward 36 and me, Councillor Mako from Ward 37. We believe it was a transparent approach for the community. As councillors, we chose not to handle any CVs or be involved in the recruitment beyond the raffle itself. I firmly believe the process was fair, transparent, and inclusive of all community members.' He refuted claims made by *Pearl regarding gender inequality in the selection process, stating that more women than men were selected through the raffle. 'It is not true that there are gender issues. The majority of the people who came through the raffle were women, so that thing is a miss,' he said. Mako dismissed concerns about qualifications, stating that general labour roles typically don't require academic credentials or interviews, unless the job involves specific safety risks. 'Issues of educational experience. In general, labour, I don't think that counts, unless we need a risk…This is how we felt that things could be done, as far as I'm concerned, the community is happy. General labourers do not even have to go for interviews,' he added. He also said that he had not received any complaints from residents about the job raffle process, adding that any concerns could be addressed through the appropriate channels. Kingsol Chabalala, the DA's constituency head for Emfuleni North, echoed Mako's views, stating that the job raffle was a transparent process: 'Emfuleni has long been plagued by nepotism, with political leaders often appointing their relatives and friends. This system helps prevent that,' Chabalala said. However, Chabalala added: 'While I agree with the process, I don't believe pensioners should be considered when young people are still struggling to find work,' he said. He added that although age should not completely disqualify someone, pensioners already receive government social grants and should not take up job opportunities meant to empower the youth. While Emfuleni's job raffle was a first for the municipality, it's not the first time this method has caused tension. In August 2024, a similar incident in Bloemhof, North West, turned chaotic when an ANC ward councillor, Willie Adams, was attacked by angry community members. The councillor had been overseeing a job raffle to select just 10 workers for a road maintenance project. Accusations of favouritism and unfair practices led to outrage, with knife-wielding residents storming the stadium and forcing Adams to flee for his life. *Pearl is a created name to hide the identity of our source. The Star
The Citizen
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Treasury warns Emfuleni to pay pension contributions
Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has been identified as one of 39 municipalities in the country that failed to transfer employee pension contributions to the relevant funds. This week, the National Treasury issued a formal warning to Emfuleni, ordering the municipality to pay the outstanding pension fund contributions within seven days or face further consequences. 'In Emfuleni's case, more than R6.5m in pension fund deductions was withheld instead of being paid to the fund,' explained Freedom Front Plus councillor Gerda Senekal. The Treasury also warned Emfuleni to settle its historic debt of R1.7b owed to Rand Water. 'Should Emfuleni fail to comply, the national government may withhold its equitable share for the remainder of the 2025/26 financial year,' the Treasury cautioned. Senekal said the party is not surprised by the tough stance taken by the Treasury. 'Even four years of administration under the Gauteng provincial government brought no improvement,' she said. Eskom and Rand Water have previously seized funds from the municipality's accounts, forcing residents to pay their outstanding water and electricity bills directly to the bulk suppliers. 'It's disgraceful that not only is the municipality failing to provide basic services, but it's now also using staff pension contributions for other purposes,' Senekal added. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Action SA slams Emfuleni's service delivery failures
SEDIBENG. – On its own, it is impossible for the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) to deliver service to the community! ActionSA in Sedibeng said that the recently cleaning campaign partnership between the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in South Africa (COGTA) in Gauteng and the ELM indicates that the municipality is not capable of service delivery. Dubbed Operation Phakama Vaal, it was supported by the Gauteng provincial government, and its main focus is to bring back service delivery and confidence in the community. The Gauteng provincial government said that the operation also aimed, among others, to encourage communities to keep the environment clean. The Gauteng provincial government said that the initiative followed the recent Provincial Integrated Service Delivery Programme visit that seeks to address service delivery issues, including crime, infrastructure maintenance, and waste management, amongst other things. The operation focused on Sebokeng, Vanderbijlpark, Evaton, and Vereeniging, mainly tackling illegal dumping, promoting recycling, and restoring neglected public space. Bongani Dhlamini, ActionSA's Regional Chair, said, 'This is a clear indication that Emfuleni on its own is no longer capable of handling service delivery for the residents of Emfuleni, thus the (our) call for placing Emfuleni under administration and we will take it up with the Gauteng Provincial Legislature,' he said. Meanwhile, the party launched branches for Wards 6 and 18 in preparation for the upcoming 2026 local government elections. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
19-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
ELM not capable of service delivery on its own: ActionSA Sedibeng
ELM not capable of service delivery on its own: ActionSA Sedibeng SEDIBENG. – On its own, it is impossible for the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) to deliver service to the community! ActionSA in Sedibeng said that the recently cleaning campaign partnership between the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in South Africa (COGTA) in Gauteng and the ELM indicates that the municipality is not capable of service delivery. Dubbed Operation Phakama Vaal, it was supported by the Gauteng provincial government, and its main focus is to bring back service delivery and confidence in the community. The Gauteng provincial government said that the operation also aimed, among others, to encourage communities to keep the environment clean. The Gauteng provincial government said that the initiative followed the recent Provincial Integrated Service Delivery Programme visit that seeks to address service delivery issues, including crime, infrastructure maintenance, and waste management, amongst other things. The operation focused on Sebokeng, Vanderbijlpark, Evaton, and Vereeniging, mainly tackling illegal dumping, promoting recycling, and restoring neglected public space. Bongani Dhlamini, ActionSA's Regional Chair, said, 'This is a clear indication that Emfuleni on its own is no longer capable of handling service delivery for the residents of Emfuleni, thus the (our) call for placing Emfuleni under administration and we will take it up with the Gauteng Provincial Legislature,' he said. Meanwhile, the party launched branches for Wards 6 and 18 in preparation for the upcoming 2026 local government elections. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Mail & Guardian
04-06-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Sanitation crisis in Ramaphosa informal settlement dehumanises people
There is a sanitation crisis In numerous informal settlements around South Africa. Photo: Sewage waste. Delwyn Verasamy/M&G There is a sanitation crisis in the Ramaphosa informal settlement in Emfuleni, Vereeniging, Gauteng. On 20 May, Eyewitness News reported that residents were forced to use buckets and pit latrines to relieve themselves because the mobile toilets had not been cleaned for several months. Frieda Veeris, who lives in Ramaphosa, expressed her dissatisfaction with the situation and told of the unbearable stench and the maggots in the toilet bowls. She was concerned that her family would be vulnerable to infections from the toilets. The sanitation crisis is not only an inhumane injustice to the people living in this informal settlement but also an environmental issue that is overlooked and often ignored by the government. The inequality experienced by the residents of Ramaphosa has affected their health, because the failure to clean the mobile toilets has resulted in constant illnesses. The suspension of environmental services means people living in informal settlements such as Ramaphosa are prone to premature death and reproductive issues, especially women and girls, because they contract infections. The degrading living conditions in Ramaphosa informal settlement dehumanise people. This is the dismantling of a black community, a violence with compounding issues. The ablution facilities have not been serviced because the Emfuleni local government says it does not have the money to pay for it. It has prioritised the economy over human lives. While residents continue to battle the sanitation crisis, the Emfuleni municipality has responded with a request for residents to give them five more months to clean the toilets. How are people expected to survive in these five months? Although the national government has set clear targets for housing, implementation at the municipal level is an issue, with reports of corruption and mismanagement hindering progress. But corruption should not be an excuse for lack of accountability and action. This further increases the gap between the elites and the poor, where the poor always get the short end of the stick, almost reproducing the injustices of apartheid. It could be argued that informal settlements are spreading rapidly because people are occupying land and erecting shacks without going through the appropriate channels. OFM news reporter Kekeletso Mosebetsi reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed concern regarding the prevalence of informal settlements during a door-to-door campaign trail in Botshabelo, Bloemfontein. The RDP programme has a huge backlog with more than 2.4 million households still in need of their promised house. Experts have further warned that the housing issue could continue to rise to a predicted 71% by the year 2030. The National Development Plan, which was introduced in 2012 as a vision for 2030, is said to aim to unite South Africa, unleash the energies of its citizens, build an inclusive economy, enhance the state and leaders working together to solve complex problems. This is in the very first line of the NDP page online. South Africa is plagued by unemployment, electricity issues, a healthcare system that is slowly deteriorating and informal settlements that are predominantly populated by black people who continue to live in unbearable conditions with their rights constantly being violated. With only five years left until 2030, perhaps it is time we face the reality that the vision is all that it is — a vision. The government should look back at the National Development Plan and the 31 years of democracy and see what it has achieved. Kabelo Motswagae holds an MA in sociology from the University of Johannesburg and Nokuthula Pheza is a PhD candidate in the Department of Sociology, University of Johannesburg.
