Engineering News reports that civil rights organisation AfriForum has brought an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act seeking access to the work permits of 31 Cuban engineers employed by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).  

Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has reportedly extended the engineers’ contracts to June 2018, despite rumours that the department is bankrupt.  Expenditure in respect of the salaries and travelling of the engineers has apparently also been considerably increased.  AfriForum’s Chris Boshoff indicated:  “AfriForum is going to compare the experience and qualifications of the Cuban engineers to that of South African engineers who could rather have been employed to do the same quality of work at an affordable, market-related remuneration package.  South Africans are struggling to find work, while foreigners are appointed at such a high cost.”

• Read this report in full at Engineering News
• Read AfriForum’s press statement in this regard at AfriForum online

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page