Ses’khona in alleged pay for jobs scandal

The DA will submit Parliamentary questions to Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters, demanding clarity on the alleged pay for jobs scandal between Metrorail and Ses’khona People’s Right Movement. Today it is reported that Ses’khona, operating from Bridgetown in Athlone, is offering vulnerable unemployed people jobs at Metrorail in exchange for joining Ses’khona at a cost of R25. This comes after the DA has already laid charges against Ses’khona for illegally selling plots of land to occupiers in Lwandle Settlement. It is reported that the organisation illegally made R330 000 from the scam. It is alleged by Andile Lili, a representative of Ses’khona’s, that “We went to Metrorail with a plan and they accepted it.” Already, it is claimed that hundreds of people have fallen victim to the scam. Ses’khona is essentially selling access to jobs in government entities. This is illegal. The Minister must provide clarity on – • Whether a meeting between Metrorail officials and Ses’kona did indeed occur; • Whether an agreement between Ses’khona and Metrorail was reached; • The nature of the alleged agreement between Metrorail and Ses’khona; • The nature of the project which Ses’khona claims will “create 20 000 jobs”. Metrorail must clarify what is going on here. If these allegations turn out to be true, the DA will lay additional charges against Ses’khona for their misrepresentation and extortion of the unemployed. The DA will continue to fight against those who seek to take advantage of society’s most vulnerable members.