DA demands answers on councillor earning two government salaries
“Diamond was elected a PR councillor by the IEC as he was the next candidate according to the list. “While this does give him the title of councillor, he did not take up his duties as he was never sworn in as a councillor (as prescribed by Ekurhuleni’s standing orders).”
The Democratic Alliance released a statement stating that Ekurhuleni councillor Neil Diamond has been receiving two salaries.
In a written statement by DA ward councillor in Ekurhuleni Alta de Beer said Diamond was appointed as the municipal manager (MM) of the Mbombela Local Municipality in November 2018.
In May 2019, he was then appointed as councillor in the Ekurhuleni metro.
De Beer said “What is, however, peculiar about these appointments is that he only resigned as the MM of Mbombela in July this year.
“Meaning that when Diamond was appointed as councillor in the metro, he still held his position as the MM in Mbombela,” said de Beer.
“During this time, Diamond held two positions in two different municipalities simultaneously.”
She said while municipal councillors are not full time councillors, the concern is he received two government salaries.
“Furthermore, Diamond has not attended a single council meeting in his capacity as councillor since his appointment in May 2019.
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“The one time he attended a council meeting, he did so as a visitor in the council gallery.”
De Beer questioned why the speaker of council had not held Diamond accountable for not attending council meetings?
“Why is he being allowed to do as he pleases?”
In a council meeting on October 31, the speaker announced Diamond’s resignation from the Ekurhuleni Council.
“It is a known fact that the reason Diamond tendered his resignation from his MM position is because he was relocating to the United States to join his family.”
The councillor said according to their records, Diamond has, indeed, relocated to the United States.
“We; therefore, cannot understand why Diamond is only resigning as a councillor now,” she said.
“This is a clear indication that Diamond has been earning a councillor’s salary while he was residing in the States.
“Furthermore, how was Diamond fulfilling his council duties all the way from America?”
De Beer said the DA in Ekurhuleni wanted answers concerning this matter.
“We cannot allow ANC councillors to do as they please; the residents of the metro deserve much better than a dishonest party and an absent councillor.”
Sphelele Nxele, spokesperson for the office of the speaker Ekurhuleni Legislature, denies allegations that Diamond received a salary from Ekurhuleni.
“Diamond was elected a PR councillor by the IEC as he was the next candidate according to the list. “While this does give him the title of councillor, he did not take up his duties as he was never sworn in as a councillor (as prescribed by Ekurhuleni’s standing orders).”
Nxele added as per the announcement at the council meeting on the October 31 that Diamond tendered his resignation.
“We wish him well in his future endeavours.”
