Latest news with #Maila
The Citizen
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Maila warns criminals: No more service delivery disruptions
Criminals disrupting service delivery projects in order to enrich themselves have been warned by the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality's (FTLM) mayor, Eddie Maila. This warning came as he introduced two contractors who would erect an 8km access road in Praktiseer Shushumela to the community on July 3, and another two for a 6km access road in Ga-Mokgotho Village in Ward 16 on July 4. 'We are sick and tired of individuals collapsing service delivery projects. Gone are the days where we will allow people to disrupt our work in our communities. I put my neck on the block, I will be involved in these projects every step of the way to ensure no one disrupts them,' Maila said. He said the FTLM would not return money to Treasury under his watch 'Our municipality was one of those that returned money back to Department of Treasury, without providing key services. This is no longer happening; we will spend 100% of money allocated to us on service delivery. In fact, we will get additional allocation.' Maila assured residents that all the projects will be completed within a 12-month period. 'We commit to completing all these projects. They will benefit economic activity in these areas.' Maila urged the community to support all municipal projects. He also encouraged women to seize this opportunity to work as subcontractors. He said his office will ensure women are involved in all municipal projects. When introducing the contractors, Maila reminded them about their objective in the village. He warned them that the municipality is expecting quality projects that must be implemented within the stipulated time. 'Contractors must ensure that the locals benefit in terms of employment and business opportunities through the correct procedures.' ALSO READ: Magakala road and bridge project 100% complete Maila applauded the tribal leaders (Moshate) for working closely with the municipality to provide services. 'We cannot build a city with bad roads. Let's support all the projects to make Fetakgomo Tubatse a better place.' The access roads projects at both Praktiseer and Ga-Mokgotho are scheduled to commence on July 7. They will cost a combined total of R140 million. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Limpopo mayor threatens construction mafia after stalled projects
Maila said the 'construction mafia' was costing the South African government and construction industry millions of rands through disruptions and extortion. Disruptions and blockages of construction sites by the so-called construction mafias cost the South African economy more than R68 billion before the Covid-19 pandemic. This was revealed by the mayor of the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality, Eddy Shebeshebe Maila, on Thursday. Maila was speaking during the handover of two service providers for an 8km road construction project in Praktiseer Township, outside the mining-rich town of Burgersfort in Limpopo. The handover was held at a glittering ceremony at Madikiloshe Malepe Sports Ground on Thursday, with more than 1 000 people waiting with anticipation to get jobs at the project. Mafia costing construction industry millions Maila said the 'construction mafia' was costing the South African government and construction industry millions of rands through disruptions and extortion. These criminal syndicates, he said, disrupt projects, demand a percentage of the contract value, and resort to violence and sabotage, hindering the delivery of South African infrastructure. 'But I can assure you, these crooks have no place to operate their business in my municipality. 'I know your modus operandi, and I am watching you like a hawk. Here is not a playground. It is either you cooperate or you go straight behind bars in jail, where you belong,' Maila told the jovial crowd that clapped hands each time he spoke. No mafias, but projects stalled According to the mayor, several projects in Limpopo have stalled due to construction mafias that have halted them, either by fair means or foul. 'We are going to appoint a project steering committee and two community liaison officers for these projects. These are the people that are going to work hand in glove with the ward councillors, the engineers and our contractors' 'Community business forums are welcome, but they must know their boundaries. Their job is not to hijack this project. 'It serves as a mediator between the business community and the municipality. They must, therefore, not interfere with the day-to-day running of this project. 'If they dare try me, they will rue the day we crossed paths,' promised Maila. ALSO READ: Suspected construction mafia extortionists arrested in Joburg CBD Gender disparity Maila also urged councillors and contractors of the project to consider gender parity when employing people. 'In South Africa, women make up just more than 10% of the construction workforce, a statistic that is mirrored in many other countries around the world. 'This disparity is often attributed to a lack of access to education and training opportunities, and a persistent cultural bias that views construction as a 'man's job',' said Maila. Maila said his municipality will monitor the recruitment processes at the project from inception and ensure local women with the necessary skills and documentation are given a stake in sub-contracting. 'They have the skills and the qualifications to show. We must not brush them aside. We must make sure they are employed on a 50/50 basis. 'The writing is on the wall; when we employ women, we feed the nation. That is why women should be taken seriously, and that is why we should allow them to take leadership positions in the workplace and in business,' Maila told the contractors. Residents speak out The Citizen spoke to a few residents at the meeting after Maila's address. 'We are happy that under his tutelage, women are taken seriously. We have been brushed aside before, and are saying enough is enough. 'We also want to play leadership roles in the construction business. Construction work has long been stereotypically associated with a male-dominated space, but now things are changing. 'We are 50/50,' resident Francinah Mohale said. Collen Nkoana said the community was ready to help the mayor fight construction mafias. 'Working hand in glove with the police, we can not go wrong. 'We are going to fight with everything we have until the last drop of our blood to make sure that this project gets up to its practical completion in a 12-month record time.' NOW READ: 'Construction mafia' are genuine guys
The Citizen
03-07-2025
- The Citizen
Residents urged to use new Mams SAPS landline
Residents urged to use new Mams SAPS landline Mamelodi West police have announced that their newly installed landlines are now operational, allowing people to call the station directly. This follows after the provision of an alternative number three years ago to lodge complaints and report criminal activities. Police spokesperson, Sergeant Daphney Maila, said the Mamelodi West police client service centre had an issue with its landline and provided the public with a cellphone number. Maila said people should take note of the following landline: 012 497 1030, which is accessible 24/7. She said while the new landline number is working, the cellphone number is still operating, but the new landline should rather be used to call the station. Station commanders, Brigadier Kervin Solomons and Colonel Simon Makgopa, thanked the public for their cooperation, saying no problems were caused by communication breakdowns in contacting SAPS Mamelodi. The community can still utilise the emergency hotlines, 10111 from a landline, or 112 from any cellphone. He reminded residents that if they want to report a crime anonymously, they can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
City of Johannesburg councillor allegedly used municipality's BMW X3 for political activities in KZN, says DA
A court ruling this year stripped most members of the mayoral committee of their bodyguards and luxury official vehicles. The DA in Johannesburg is requesting an urgent investigation into the use of a city-owned luxury vehicle by one of the members of the Government of Local Unity (GLU) for party activities. The party claims that one of the members of the mayoral committee travelled to KwaZulu-Natal last weekend using the City's BMW X3. This vehicle was part of the security detail for members of the mayoral committee before the South Gauteng High Court put an end to the City's controversial VIP Protection Policy. In a statement, DA shadow MMC for Public Safety, Solomon Maila, said the mayor should investigate if the implicated councillor is in contempt of court. 'The DA in Johannesburg has written to Executive Mayor Dada Morero to ensure that a full investigation is conducted into allegations that a member of his Mayoral Committee travelled to the eThekwini area in KwaZulu-Natal for party-political activities during the weekend of 30 May to 1 June 2025 using the City's official BMW without consent. 'The DA understands that this vehicle was procured as part of the City's implementation of the VIP Protection Policy that was declared unconstitutional and invalid Gauteng High Court on 2 January 2025,' he said. The municipality bank card is used for fuel Maila said whistleblowers had informed them that the BMW X3 had been refuelled twice over the weekend when it was in use at the ratepayers' expense. 'Which suggests that it travelled for more than 1000 km in that period. 'According to the DA's sources in the city, the First National Bank (FNB) card linked to the said vehicle was used for the refueling and the payment of tollgates to and from KwaZulu-Natal,' Maila said. He said this was an abuse of municipal resources if the allegations are true. 'These allegations point to a possible unlawful use of a motor vehicle without the necessary consent. If proven, these allegations would mean that the said MMC has also acted in contempt of the High Court, which is another criminal offence,' he said. The DA says it wants the mayor to investigate the movements of the vehicle between May 30 and June 1, 2025. ALSO READ: DA tables motion of no confidence in Johannesburg mayor and speaker 'Criminal charges must be laid' The DA also wants to know the identity and portfolio of the MMC who used the vehicle, as well as details about the driver and their role within the Department of Public Safety. 'The DA will not rest until there is full accountability. Criminal charges must be laid against the implicated MMC and every municipal official in the city who aided and abetted the MMC in the commission of these alleged criminal offences. 'The culture of criminal impunity in the city must be nipped in the bud,' he said. NOW READ: 'Joburg is in free fall' — Next month could be make or break for Mayor Dada Morero
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Magakala road and bridge project 100% complete
The Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) continues to improve access and mobility in rural areas. The Magakala Access Road and Bridge Project will soon be handed to the communities. The FTLM's mayor, Eddie Maila, visited the site on May 29 for inspection before its official handover. This project in the FTLM's Ward 39 (Mohlaletsi) is 100% complete. Maila commended the community for working with the municipality and the contractors to ensure that the project is implemented without major hindrances. Before the construction of this road, it was difficult for the community to access essential services such as schools and clinics due to the harsh conditions of the gravel road. Access was especially limited during rainy season as there was no bridge to cross the river. Maila and his team took a walkabout on the four kilometre stretch of the road to assess its condition. He said the completed project will bring much relief to the Magakala community in terms of safer roads and accessibility. Nthabi Tladi, a community member, thanked the mayor and the municipality for implementing the road project, as it was difficult for the residents to conduct their daily business. She said the road is going to change their lives forever. After visiting the Magakala access road, Maila also conducted another inspection at Debeila-Mohlaletsi road. This inspection was done to give the mayor an insight on the challenges raised by the community and other stakeholders on the development of the road project. Maila indicated that the road's completion is long overdue and all the remaining issues must be addressed, so it could be handed over to the community. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
