Getrude Makhafola and Kamogelo Seekoei
Getrude Makhafola and Kamogelo Seekoei
The 2010 Soccer World Cup has brought doom and gloom to a group of employees at Soccer City, Johannesburg, a premier site for the tournament.
The 16 maintenance and administration workers told Sowetan that management dumped them after promising they would be given other jobs while the stadium was being rebuilt for 2010.
The workers were responsible for the smooth running of events at the stadium. They said things turned ugly as soon as construction started.
The group includes groundsmen, a secretary, a logistics manager, clerks and cleaners.
"Our general manager, Dennis Mumble, told us in January that though construction was starting we need not worry because our jobs would be safe even after the World Cup," said a tearful Thoko Mdaweni, Mumble's secretary.
"That was the last time we heard from him. We have not been paid since April," she said.
Mdaweni said they wanted their money so they could move on with their lives.
South African Football Association spokesman Gugu Marawa referred Sowetan to Mumble.
Mumble has joined the 2010 Local Organising Committee, but Sowetan failed in repeated attempts to contact him. Both his cellphones went unanswered and he did not respond to SMSes. We dropped by the 2010 offices but staff there said he would not speak to us.
Safa's chief executive Raymond Hack also said that his organisation had nothing to do with Soccer City's employees.
"We do not have control over the stadium. The issue should be addressed to the stadium's management," said Hack.
Soccer City is undergoing a multimillion-rand face-lift for the 2010 World Cup.
Staff have not been paid since April
Getrude Makhafola and Kamogelo Seekoei
Getrude Makhafola and Kamogelo Seekoei
The 2010 Soccer World Cup has brought doom and gloom to a group of employees at Soccer City, Johannesburg, a premier site for the tournament.
The 16 maintenance and administration workers told Sowetan that management dumped them after promising they would be given other jobs while the stadium was being rebuilt for 2010.
The workers were responsible for the smooth running of events at the stadium. They said things turned ugly as soon as construction started.
The group includes groundsmen, a secretary, a logistics manager, clerks and cleaners.
"Our general manager, Dennis Mumble, told us in January that though construction was starting we need not worry because our jobs would be safe even after the World Cup," said a tearful Thoko Mdaweni, Mumble's secretary.
"That was the last time we heard from him. We have not been paid since April," she said.
Mdaweni said they wanted their money so they could move on with their lives.
South African Football Association spokesman Gugu Marawa referred Sowetan to Mumble.
Mumble has joined the 2010 Local Organising Committee, but Sowetan failed in repeated attempts to contact him. Both his cellphones went unanswered and he did not respond to SMSes. We dropped by the 2010 offices but staff there said he would not speak to us.
Safa's chief executive Raymond Hack also said that his organisation had nothing to do with Soccer City's employees.
"We do not have control over the stadium. The issue should be addressed to the stadium's management," said Hack.
Soccer City is undergoing a multimillion-rand face-lift for the 2010 World Cup.
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