Let us take a look what you might have missed in the City of Johannesburg over the past few weeks.
The City of Johannesburg’s Ombudsman’s legal battle with the council has been taken up with the Office of the President.
Advocate S’du Gumede, after recent developments, asked President Jacob Zuma’s office to establish a commission of inquiry into his suspension on 9 May and ‘maladministration and irregularity in the City’.
He also approached the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, Paul Mashatile.
READ ABOUT IT HERE: Ombud takes case to the President
The Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, recommitted R188 million to the City of Johannesburg so houses could be developed in the inner city. This is in addition to the R136.5 million the City has already committed to one of Executive Mayor of Johannesburg Herman Mashaba’s most important projects. Mashaba said the economic revival of the inner city is a priority for administration and is key to creating an inclusive and prosperous city for all residents.
“We cannot hope to achieve this without appropriate and affordable housing for our residents, especially the poor,” Mashaba said.
READ ABOUT IT HERE: National government commits R188m for inner city housing developments
Democratic Alliance ward councillor, Leah Knott has been appointed to replace Sharon Peetz as the new MMC for Economic Development. Peetz was removed from her position by Mashaba earlier this month on grounds of suspected misconduct.
Knott is also still the councillor for Ward 97 and therefore is filling two roles in the City.
READ ABOUT IT HERE: New MMC Leah Knott filling two roles at City
The City said Metro police will continue to clamp down on speedsters and bad drivers. MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun said motorists must not be deceived into thinking that parts of Joburg are now speed-free zones.
The City cancelled a contract with a speed enforcement service in January and since then the service provider has been removing fixed cameras, prompting questions about how speeding is regulated in the city.
READ ABOUT IT HERE: You can still get a speeding fine in Johannesburg
In the past two weeks, the Group Forensic and Investigation Services Unit arrested 11 people linked to allegations of corruption in the City. Those arrested include revenue services officials, a facility manager and former employees.
“We have zero tolerance [of] corruption. This is why we will continue to relentlessly pursue every allegation of corruption. We cannot sit idly while corrupt officials pocket money meant for the residents of our City,” the Executive Major of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba said.
READ ABOUT IT HERE: More Joburg officials arrested for alleged corruption
The second Billing Open Day for Region E has been postponed due to a work stoppage within the Revenue Shared Service Centre, allegedly by workers who are in solidarity with the said co-workers who were arrested.
The Billing Open Day was scheduled for 2 September at the Field and Study Recreation Centre.
The City said it would announce the new date soon.
READ ABOUT IT HERE: Billing Open Day postponed
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