SHANDUKA chief executive Phuti Mahanyele has expressed disappointment over her company's construction of a mall in Soweto that has failed to benefit locals.

To remedy the situation, Mahanyele said a once-off payment of R8-million will be channelled into developing skills and businesses in Diepkloof.

She said a committee would manage the R8-million fund and select beneficiaries.

Mahanyele added that 70% of the Diepkloof Mall's employees will be locals.

Shanduka is owned by embattled ANC heavyweight Cyril Ramaphosa.

Mahanyele also told Sowetan that 15% of the R52-million spent to build the mall had been earmarked for small businesses in Diepkloof.

Diepkloof residents had stopped the construction of the mall for a month in September because they were outraged that local contractors and labourers were not used to build the mall.

Construction only resumed two weeks ago. But the protests have cast a dark cloud over the mall's future, as it was supposed to have opened last Thursday.

Construction is now expected to be completed on November 30.

Failure to open in November could see 80% of tenants opening in March next year.