GRASSY PARK
TUESDAY 16 May 2017 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za
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People’s Post
The writing’s on the wall Fairmount Secondary School launched its “wall of strength” against bullying in the school’s hall in Grassy Park on Saturday when they also hosted a career day for learners of schools in the area. Here principal Terrence Klassen and Life Orientation teacher Fatima Molte watch as learners Jade Abels, Abdul Ismail, Safwan Bekko, Michael Jairani and Lucretia Lekas make some adjustments to their slogans against bullying. Read the full story on page 4. PHOTO: GARY VAN DYK
PARKWOOD
Public works problems
GARY VAN DYK @gvdcapejazz
R
esidents of Parkwood and surrounding areas are questioning the fairness of selecting and handing out work through the expanded public works programme (EPWP) in the suburb. Last week residents took to the streets to protest against alleged favouritism when it comes to choosing residents for jobs in the area through the system. Community paralegal worker Abe Braaf says his office has been inundated with complaints about this in recent months and he feels the City of Cape Town council has to answer to the allegations.
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“There is high unemployment in this area and people are desperate to make some money to feed their families,” he says. “In recent months we have been getting complaints that while many have registered on the EPWP database they have not been called up, yet others have been given more than one chance in local projects.” Noel McCleod from Parkwood is one of the residents who has complained of this. “It just seems strange to me that for two years I am still waiting for some work to come my way,” he says. “Somehow my wife got some work, but I am never called. “I keep my information updated for the system at all times, but I can’t help seeing that the system seems to be favouring some
– to the extent that three people in the same household all get jobs together.” Allison Smith is another resident who is complaining about the system. “I have complained about the system before but nothing changes; you still see the same people getting called every time,” she says. “We would like to know exactly how these jobs are given out. They tell us it is done randomly but is the computer being given some instructions to favour a few?” Eddie Andrews, Mayco member (South), has responded to the allegations, pointing out that the jobseekers database currently has more than 450 000 registered people. “Registration on the database is not a
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