‘Makhubo should be wearing prison chains, not the mayoral chain,’ said Mashaba

“The press conference held by mayor Geoff Makhubo on February 19 is part of a long pattern of crying wolf against the former coalition government,” said Herman Mashaba, founder of The People’s Dialogue.

“From day one of the coalition government in 2016, Makhubo predicted the imminent financial collapse of the City sighting an impending inability to make the next salary run. This never transpired.”

He went on to explain that contrary to these allegations, the pre-audit financial statements for the 2018/19 financial year reflected a significant improvement in the City’s financial health and liquidity, with its closing cash balance increasing from R2.2-billion at the end of 2017/18, to R5.3-b by the close of 2018/19.

“I have also noted Makhubo’s comments about the insourcing process. These remarks are blatantly an effort to reverse the gains that were achieved by the coalition government in taking business away from the ANC-linked tenderpreneurs, and providing cleaners and security guards with the dignity of permanent employment.

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“Makhubo’s claims about the JMPD recruits are equally disingenuous, and are clearly a continuation of his efforts to purge chief of police David Tembe, and recapture the law enforcement agencies that were waging wars against crime and corruption under the leadership of the coalition government.

“The fact that Makhubo is holding a press conference rather than serving a 15-year sentence for corruption is an indictment to our criminal justice system.

“It is well documented that Makhubo was earning millions in profits through a contractual relationship with a Gupta-linked company while serving as the MMC of Finance.

“I believe it would be intolerable to have to entertain any lessons of morality, ethics or leadership from such an individual,” said Mashaba.

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