As everyone becomes more comfortable back at their desks, ready to tackle a new year, we take a look at the goings-on in the City of Johannesburg’s metropolitan municipality at who was either dismissed or suspended.
First, the week started with news of Finance MMC, Dr Rabelani Dagada’s removal and suspension. Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba announced on the morning of 15 January that Dagada would face an enquiry of the DA’s Federal Legal Commission and appear before the Council Ethics Committee after allegations of favouritism relating to tenders within his department surfaced. Dagada maintains that the recent incident is merely a political fight. He said he has been subjected to an unrelenting witch-hunt to remove him from the mayoral committee and to kill his political career and he vehemently denies the allegations made against him. At the end of it all, the ANC released a statement that the incident was purely a ‘feeble attempt at sidetracking from the actual issue at hand’, which they claim is the mayor running the City’s finances to the ground.
Joburg’s fired Finance MMC denies allegations, says his name will be cleared
Shortly before said news, an official responsible for trade and investment projects was dismissed after being found guilty of dishonesty and wrongfully influencing tenders. MMC for Economic Development, Leah Knott, explained that the official was engaged in private business without the City’s permission. “[The official] breached our code of ethics, influenced procurement decisions for their own benefit and acted against the interests of the City,” she said. “The City has declared war on corruption – no action contrary to observing the principles of fair and honest professional standards will be accommodated.”
City dismisses senior official for corruption, says MMC of Economic Development
Johannesburg Water later announced that residents may detect a strange smell and taste in their drinking water. The entity said it is likely because of geosmin that is present in the water. Isaac Dhludhlu, Johannesburg Water’s communications manager, said the substance is not harmful to human health. “The taste and odour will sometimes manifest itself in the potable water supply. The problem occurs infrequently and is usually of short duration,” Dhludhlu said. All in all, the unpleasantness should not last much longer.
Finally, news broke of a former Joburg MMC and African National Congress regional deputy secretary, Dan Bovu, appearing before the Johannesburg commercial crimes court on 17 January on fraud and theft charges. ANC Joburg spokesperson, Jolidee Matongo, confirmed that Bovu is out on R5 000 bail and will again appear in court on 2 February. Bovu and a co-accomplice are accused of illegally selling a City-owned property in Vlakfontein, south of Johannesburg over 11 years ago. Mashaba said the pair handed themselves over to the police in Lenasia hours before they appeared in court on 17 January. Bovu has also since taken a step back from both political and local government activities while the matter is before the court.
