Within less than 15 minutes into the gathering, the minority parties opted to recuse themselves from the meeting. It was, however, unclear why they chose to go this route.
The house then carried on with the meeting, discussing and adopting the minutes of their previous meeting.
Ekurhuleni Mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele did not deliver an address, as it was said that he had the option of doing so only every two months.
Councillors, however, used the opportunity to question the mayor and senior officials on issues effecting their particular wards.
The city is waiting in anticipation for April,when the mayor will deliver the State of the City address.
In his 2015 address, Gungubele spoke out on social and economical transformation, the aerotropolis development programme, the revitalisation of the manufacturing sector in Ekurhuleni township’s economic development, skills development, a job creation battle plan and youth economic empowerment.
It is suspected, though, that in this year’s address issues of natural disasters, drugs and bylaws might make it onto the list of matters to be focused on
In addition to this, on April 28, the budget for the City of Ekurhuleni will be tabled for approval, and this will be the last budget tabled for the 2011-2016 term of office.
In line with section 16 of the Municipal Financial Management Act, the draft of the Integrated Development Plan and budget for the city’s 2016/17 – 2018/19 financial period has been tabled for noting by council.
The IDP is a process through which municipalities prepare a strategic development plan which extends over a five-year period.
It includes the planning, budgeting, resource allocation and decision-making processes within the municipality.
It also includes the public participation process.
This means that members of the public and other interested stakeholders have the chance to comment on the city’s draft 2016/17 – 2018/19 IDP and 2016/17 – 2018/19 municipal budget.
