The chairperson of the African Security
Congress Sibusiso Mchunu has dismissed a roadshow by the Department of Labour
that is striving to draw attention to the national minimum wage.
Mchunu said the party, which organizes security
officers, had been set up “because the department of labor does not listen to
our complaints”. He also said they
disagree that migrants should get employment opportunities on the same basis as
South Africans. “We are always complaining as South Africans there are no jobs
in the country,” Mchunu said.
He was speaking at the department’s roadshow, which visited Pietermaritzburg on 25 April. Trade unions and other stakeholders were invited to the event, where the assistant director of the department in the city, Velaphi Mthimkhulu, said the minimum wage has come to effect. “If you are not paid according the national minimum wage, please come to our offices and lodge a complaint,” Mthimkhulu said.
The party is campaigning on the basis of insourcing security officers and cleaners, a minimum wage and an eight-hour shift. It has also been drawn to appear at the top of the ballot in the May 8 election. – Umgungundlovu FM (edited by Siya Motha)
African Security Congress supporters attend the minimum wage roadshow.Velaphi Mthimkhulu from the Dept of Labour addresses the meetingVelaphi Mthimkhulu from the Dept of Labour speaks to Thami Mayeni of Umgungundlovu FMSibusiso Mchunu talks to Thami Mayeni of Umgungundlovu FM
Leaders
of parties at the opposite end of the political spectrum – the Economic Freedom
Fighters (EFF) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) – were both on the campaign
trail in Pietermaritzburg today, April 17.
The
IFP launched its KwaZulu Natal manifesto at the Winston Churchill theatre, with
party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi and the party’s candidate for premier, VF
Hlabisa.
Buthelezi
told the crowd that for the past 10 years the leading party did not govern well.
“The capital city of KwaZulu Natal is placed under administration for the
second time because they have failed,” said Buthelezi. He concluded by saying
there is no need to vote for corruption.
Meanwhile,
the EFF’s Julius Malema was at the Pietermaritzburg taxi rank where he
addressed a crowd, before moving to the Umngeni Municipality where he led a
service delivery march.
Malema
told the crown that the demands of the people are genuine, “They want land,
water, reliable electricity and jobs.” Malema also claimed that municipal
employees had slept their way into jobs. (Umgungundlovu FM – edited by Siya
Motha)
EFF leader Julius Malema addresses supporters in PietermaritzburgIFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi launches his party’s provincial manifesto in PietermaritzburgAt the IFP manifesto launch in the Churchill Hall, Pietermaritzburg
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for social development
Wezile Thusi visited Caluza, Pietermaritzburg, to launch a call centre and hand
out food parcels, blankets and walking sticks.
Although it is only three weeks until the
election, the event on April 16 was presented as apolitical. The MEC did not
wear the colours of her party, the ANC, and stayed away from direct
electioneering.
But residents nevertheless expressed disappointment with government delivery, complaining that promises are not kept and saying they see no reason to vote in the May 8 election.
People who attended the event highlighted other problems they face. One resident, Phumzile Gezo, said she needs a proper house. “I am a tenant because I do not have a proper home, I am expecting to get a proper shelter because I am currently suffering. ”
Gezo added that she is registered to vote
but she doesn’t see the reason to vote because the government has been giving
her empty promises.
Thusi told the crowd at the Caluza Sports Centre that the aim of the call center is to allow people from all over KwaZulu-Natal to report social issues such as gender based violence. The center, at the number 087 158 3000, will also take calls from elsewhere in the country, and is linked to the police as well as the social workers in the province.
“The call centre will operate twenty hour hours, seven days a week,” the MEC said. – Umgungundlovu FM (edited by Siyabonga Motha)
Caluza residents tell Umgungundlovu FM that they need housing and aren’t sure they want to vote.
