Work resumed at Rietvale Primary School in Ritchie this week, where intermittent protest action is delaying progress on the construction of new classrooms.
WORK resumed at Rietvale Primary School in Ritchie this week, where intermittent protest action is delaying progress on the construction of new classrooms.
Tyres were set alight during protest action last week, with calls being made for local labourers and sub-contractors to be employed on site.
Local residents pointed out that there were few economic opportunities in Ritchie, while businesses and workers from outside the Northern Cape were benefiting from the project.
“The contractor is not honouring an agreement to employ a minimum of 30 percent of local SMMEs and businesses on the project,” they said.
The Ritchie Business Forum claimed that only 17 percent of local sub-contractors were on site.
Ward 26 ANC chairperson Bonasilie Mhkamba said community members were concerned that there would be no profit sharing.
“The community agreed to open the site on Wednesday so that the project can proceed.”
The community is also aggrieved that sub-contractors and 40 labourers were brought in from Limpopo, Gauteng and Mpumalanga, without their knowledge.
“The community wants outside sub-contractors and foreign labourers to be immediately removed.
“Workers also believe that labourers from other provinces are being paid more than them.”
Mhkamba added that the community was demanding that the community liaison officer and social facilitator should step down.
He stated that during a meeting held on July 7 it was resolved that the project steering committee be disbanded and that 100 labourers from Ritchie should be employed on the project.
“The R157 million project is for the construction of new classrooms, with a completion date of September 2024. The community has warned of further protest action if the agreement is not honoured.”
Mhkamba added that workers were unhappy that cameras were positioned near the toilets. “If you mistakenly leave the door open your private parts will be on camera.
“The safety officer monitors how many times and how long people use the toilets. And some workers were already threatened with warnings if they stay in the toilet too long or make use of it too many times.”
The contractor on site said that work had resumed on Wednesday following community protests last week, when work had to be halted.
“Progress is being delayed by internal squabbles with different community groups, which we are not involved in. We request the co-operation of the community to complete the construction of the school,” said the contractor.
He added that they were waiting for a database of available skills that could be used on the project.
He said that a community meeting would be held on Thursday to iron out grievances.
“We would like to make use of local experts and sub-contractors and do have local labourers on site.”
He indicated that the security cameras were not positioned near the ablution facilities.
“The flushing toilets are in close proximity to the construction site. The cameras are not used to take photos of people going to the toilet.”
The Department of Education has not yet responded to media enquiries.
