The Ekurhuleni council meeting for July provided for drama when residents of Angelo informal settlement, along with workers from the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Ekurhuleni Waste Management and the Group One Fire and Rescue stood outside the building in Germiston demanding to see the mayor.
The MMC for Infrastructure Services, Robert Mashego, received four memorandums from disgruntled residents and workers while council meeting proceeded.
Angelo residents demanded action regarding chemical toilets (bucket system) running over and electricity infrastructure.
The other group of workers demanded permanent positions.
Mashego promised to respond to the demands made within the duration of time they were given.
Meanwhile, back in the council chambers, the mayor, Mzwandile Masina, said the metro has maintained above 95 per cent Blue Drop status in the last quarter of 2017/18.
“We have also performed well in reducing the risks of flooding and damage to infrastructure due to natural elements, while we upgraded our storm water network,” said Masina.
• Land
Masina reiterated that the metro supports expropriation of land without compensation.
“We are all aware of the unfolding public consultations held by parliament with respect to the proposed amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution for the expropriation of land without compensation.
“In our metro we are working on a clear plan to curb speculation by landholders who are not investing in development but are hedging for higher prices in the future.
“We have already engaged some of them towards a common approach of land distribution and have instructed our legal department to work on an expropriation,” Masina said.
• Investments
The mayor lauded the engagements made by president Ramaposha with capital-strong countries in the past four months. So far they yielded investment commitments of above R425-billion.
“This is also consolidated by positive implications of the 10th Brics Summit. The economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China are an important market for the sourcing of capital.
“Partnership with the Brics countries is important for the sale of South African exports and the importation of industry- experience for many sectors of our economy.
• Audit into fire arms
He added the EMPD has completed the audit that was commissioned into the fire arms that are in the arsenal of the metro’s police services.
“Certainly we all agree that it was important to carry out this audit in order to avoid a situation where the arms in the metro’s register could one day be associated with criminal acts.
“The report is now being processed in line with internal procedures before submission to the councillors.
“Part of that exercise included the legal department of the metro, the EMPD and the SAPS working together to determine outcomes of cases that were not clear.”
• Audit of employees
Masina said the metro also embarked on a detailed audit and verification of its employees.
“Our aim with this audit was to systemically close down avenues for ghost-employees who potentially draw salaries from our institution without putting in the necessary work.
“On top of having filled up more than 90 per cent of senior administration posts, we want to clamp down on duplication of functions across the system.”
ANC chief whip, Jongizizwe Dlabathi, welcomed the speech of the mayor and said it provided assurance that the metro is still presiding over an institution that is still capable of delivering on the local government mandate.
ALSO READ:
Philip DeFranco on South Africa’s Land Expropriation
Unpacking the conundrum of expropriation without compensation
Follow us:
