All construction activities at SANRAL’s Mtentu mega bridge project were brought to a standstill on Wednesday as residents from Amadiba’s inland villages set up roadblocks at three locations. The Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) confirmed that the villagers are demanding that SANRAL engage with them to address their grievances.
According to the ACC, the community is frustrated by SANRAL’s continued refusal to communicate. The villagers state that they want SANRAL to address their concerns directly. This action follows a similar blockade a week ago, which lasted three hours before the police intervened, bringing the contractor to engage with the community. At that time, SANRAL promised to respond to their issues by today, including complaints about job positions allegedly being “sold” to applicants at the bridge project.
One specific concern raised is the dismissal of 30 general workers, who were on four-year contracts but were terminated in August without explanation. The affected workers have taken their case to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), demanding reinstatement.
The ACC also highlighted that they are still waiting for SANRAL to fulfill an agreement made on 3 March last year for a fourth meeting with their technical team. The meeting was intended to resolve outstanding issues related to the N2 realignment from the coast to the inland area of Amadiba. They accused SANRAL of disappearing without providing any explanations.
In September, SANRAL CEO Reginald Demana responded to an open letter from the ACC regarding the possibility of deploying soldiers to the area. He indicated a willingness to engage “in due course.” However, the ACC emphasized that Wednesday’s roadblocks demonstrate the urgent need for SANRAL to include the Amadiba community in the project.
The committee expressed frustration over SANRAL’s actions this year, which have led to multiple protests against alleged corruption and their refusal to engage with the community. The ACC pointed out that SANRAL had previously complained about financial losses incurred when the project was halted in 2018, but they believe SANRAL is repeating the same mistakes.
The ACC called on SANRAL to fulfill its promises of engaging with society and to show real change in its approach to community involvement.
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