Johannesburg – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Tuesday encouraged job seekers to continue submitting their applications for the Gauteng Provincial Government Jobs advertised through the “Nasi Ispani” program.
At least 8 000 jobs were advertised.
“For those who could not submit their applications on the day of the launch, the online application process will remain open until the 14th of July, and everyone should be afforded a fair opportunity for consideration,” said the EFF, adding that it “will make sure of this”.
The EFF said on the day of the launch it highlighted the challenges which relate to the online application process, with job portal sites not functioning or refusing to process certain applications.
“We also called for the online system overhaul and upgrade, and up to this date the problem still persists,” the EFF said.
“We reiterate our call for the upgrade of the online application system in order to give everyone an opportunity to make submissions.”
The EFF said it was concerned about the circulating sound bites and pictures of physical CVs of applicants being torn apart and thrown away in NASREC EXPO and Lancaster Walk-In Centers.
“A video of ANC members appearing to be processing other applications separate from the official set-up processes outside Faranani Multipurpose Center in Ekurhuleni is also making rounds on social media platforms,” said the EFF.
“These incidents cannot be taken for granted, considering the corruptibility and untrustworthy character of the ruling party when it comes to such processes.”
Responding to the concerns on Tuesday, Gauteng Premier Lesufi said he notes with concern the images and voice notes circulating on social media on the Nasi iSpani programme.
In the voice notes it is alleged that the CVs of some of the applicants who applied for the advertised vacancies through the Nasi iSpani campaign at some of the 22 walk-in centers were dumped and will not be processed as per the normal recruitment process.
Premier Lesufi said: “We wish to allay all the applicants’ fears that all the CVs that were received via the jobs portal and at the 22 walk-in centres will be accounted for, and the various departments and entities are currently busy with the capturing process”.
“We wish to assure all applicants who submitted their applications physically that their information (contact details and jobs they applied for) was captured on the register they completed after submitting their applications.
“If their CVs cannot be found, we will contact them and ask them to resubmit before the closing date which is 14 July 2023.”
The premier said once this process has been completed each of the applicants will receive a reference number confirming receipt of their application via SMS over the next two weeks.
He explained that the Nasi Ispani is a strategic recruitment drive aimed at addressing unemployment and promoting access to job opportunities available within the Gauteng Provincial Government. It was launched on Friday, 16 June 2023.
Premier Lesufi said the source of the videos and the images circulating on social media was being investigated to determine their origin and “action will be taken.”
However, the EFF said it reiterates its position on the need to establish an independent oversight body to monitor the processing of these jobs.
The EFF said it was tabling this proposal in the Gauteng legislature.
“We will continue exercising oversight and holding the government to account and ensuring that government programs such as this one are not abused for political electioneering purposes by the ruling party,” the EFF said.
