Some residents of Boshoek near Rustenburg in the North West who took to the streets this week are accusing their councilor of nepotism saying he is side-lining them and recommending only his relatives and friends for employment at the local mine.
Community leader Itumeleng Makganye said the councilor is keeping the area impoverished by among others not extending opportunities to residents.
Makganye has alleged that Ward 1 councilor, Maki Sethonga, is using some of the home addresses of people from Boshoek, to secure employment for people who stay at Phatsima Village.
However, Sethonga denied the claims and suggested there could be a smear campaign against her.
“These people are lying as I always do things by the book. They just want to tarnish my image by spreading false information about me. Let me explain one thing to you, Glencore mine wanted to hire people who have Grade 12 and most of the people in Boshoek don’t have it and also there hasn’t been a post that I have hidden from the people.
“It’s not nepotism, I don’t have nepotism like they claim, I’m trying to assist people who’re unemployed and reduce the high number of unemployment in Phatsima Village, as it is also part of my ward, so I don’t think there’s anything wrong that I’m doing, when they talk about nepotism, I don’t understand what they actually mean.
“The only thing that came out from Glencore mine was a post for portable skill, so maybe someone didn’t understand what a portable skill is, from there I don’t know what they will do after, ” said Sethonga.
While residents are also complaining about poor service delivery, the Rustenburg Local Municipality has refused to be drawn into the matter.
