The DA-led City of Johannesburg will not allow motorists to be harassed by Metro police for not paying e-tolls.
Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba said Metro police’s commitment must be to fight crime, uphold the law and protect all residents. “The days of turning a blind eye to [Metro police] officers accepting bribes or unlawfully harassing motorists are over. In our city, there will be no cooperation between JMPD and Sanral on e-tolls; and I have received a commitment from [Metro police] that there will be no harassment of our motorists about outstanding e-toll payments.”
Mashaba said this while delivering his inaugural speech at the Council Chambers in Braamfontein. He has, on numerous occasions, stated that corruption will be enemy number one in his administration, and his acceptance speech proved that he was ready to fight it.
The mayor announced that a forensic audit will be conducted, targeting expenditure and tenders that have raised suspicion.
“Hear me and hear me well, there will be no slaps on the wrists, there will be no quiet departures or golden handshakes – those found guilty of corruption and fraud will go directly to jail.”
According to the mayor, there was over R5 billion in unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure over the last administration’s term in office.
Read also: Mayor Mashaba ready to turn City around
Mashaba mentioned that the poor will receive top priority and a major slice of the budget will be directed to them. He also committed to address the issue of the high level of unemployment.
The number one resident of Johannesburg announced that he intends putting the brakes on the construction of cycle lanes in the city and direct the budget to tar roads. Mashaba warned that unnecessary expenditure will be cut in order to bring much-needed services to residents.
He said the process to investigate the feasibility of extended clinic hours were at an advanced stage, and Princess Clinic has been identified as the pilot.
He said he has already begun discussions with Pikitup to ensure that shift work in the inner city is doubled to address the filth there.
Other issues that will receive priority include:
- Electrification of all informal settlements in the city. City Power is also engaging with Eskom to fast-track the electrification of the Zandspruit reception area. A contractor has been appointed with the procurement of material already underway
- Quality housing and issuing of title deeds
- Hosting a billing indaba to address billing problems
- Insourcing
- Improving response time of emergency services
- Transparent tender adjudication process to curb corruption.
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