ANC denies Masina is failing

Jongizizwe Dlabathi, chief whip of the ANC, said the DA’s failed attempt to remove Masina was nothing but an opportunistic move.

“The motion purports that the executive mayor has failed to use the resources of the municipality in the best interest of the local municipality. In our view, this statement is not in sync with the reality, given the 100 days’ progress report provided by the executive mayor in this council,” said Dlabathi.

He said the truth was that Masina had ensured the following during his first 100 days in office:

* Improving access to municipal services and reducing outsourcing

* Electrification of 722 households at Winnie Mandela informal settlements. (The re-blocking programme of Winnie Mandela, Ekuthuleni, Thusong, Nkanini, Emandleni and Makause informal settlements is on track.)

* Broadening water supply to 80 additional standpipes in Harry Gwala, Palm Ridge, Daggafontein and Balmoral

* The installation of 3 000 street lights and 400 high-mast lights, resulting in 30 000 households being electrified.

“Of note is that the executive mayor has finally launched the Leeuwpoort housing project, which is expected to yield 22 000 units.

In terms of developing and strengthening local economies, creating jobs and promoting job placements, especially for the youth, the following had been achieved:

* Finalising the appointment of 100 Vukuphile contractors

* The intake of 50 Fire and Rescue learners as part of skills development

* R500-million investments by Twin Saver Group in the Kliprivier area, resulting in the creation of 769 jobs.

Dlabathi also said, in relation to fighting crime in the communities, Masina had further used the resources to:

* Conduct successful raids operations in the Kempton Park, Germiston, Kingsway and Boksburg CBDs

* Opening two new police precincts in Zonkizizwe and Thokoza.

“In promoting education as the apex priority in local communities, the executive mayor used the resources to invest R100 million towards bursary allocation. As we speak, over 700 students are pursuing their tertiary dream.

“He has also used the resources that led to the opening the Khumalo, Tsietsi and Dukathole clinics in promoting primary health care.

“Important is that the leadership of the executive mayor continues to ensure that we use resources to continue to provide sustainable free basic services with an annual cost of about R2 billion.

“These are but some of the results of the utilisation of municipal resources by the executive mayor in his first 100 days in office. Surely he has demonstrated that a lot will be done,” said Dlabathi.

Dlabathi concluded by saying the ANC caucus once more reaffirms its confidence in the leadership capabilities of Clr Masina in improving the lives of the citizens.

“The ANC led government has committed to serve the residents of Ekurhuleni and that commitment is a standing commitment,” said Dlabathi.

Speaking to Kathorus MAIL, Ghaleb Cachalia, the leader of DA at Ekurhuleni council, said the mayor is required to use the municipal funds in a responsible way. He said Masina has failed to do that.

“What worries us the most is that there is an issue regarding C Track. The City’s safety and security was compromised on its assets because the tracking company disconnected its tracking device on the municipality’s vehicles after its contract with the municipality ended in September last year.

“As a result of disconnection, all municipal vehicles, including the EMPD vehicles, firefighter vehicles as well as emergency vehicles, were dysfunctional. It puts lives of Ekurhuleni residents at risk and because of this we have decided to remove Masina from his position as we have no confidence in him any more. The motion was well supported by most of the political parties in the council. As a result Clr Patricia Khumalo, the speaker of the council, suggested that voting take place. Then the ANC started to make noise,” Cachalia said.

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