There is never a dull day in the City of Johannesburg and in case you missed all the excitement, we’ve provided an overview of the week’s happenings.
The ongoing legal battle between the City and its ombudsman, Advocate Sdu Gumede continues. The most recent development saw the City terminate its attorneys’ services in the matter. Werksmans Attorneys have been representing the City since before the suspension.
In a document obtained by Randburg Sun, the firm advised the City not to suspend the ombudsman because the reasons for his suspension were not justified. However, the City went ahead and suspended Gumede on 9 May.
READ: City terminates its attorneys’ services in ombudsman matter
It is not only corrupt officials who were arrested by law enforcement officials in the City. The police also arrested three members of the public recently for being in possession of 1 400 litres of stolen road marking paint worth R140 000. The paint was allegedly stolen by JRA officials who sold it again at R300 for 20 litres.
READ:Caught white handed
The City and public transport operators have reached an agreement to work together towards faster, safer and more lucrative public transport. Taxi associations and bus operators joined a ceremony with the Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba, at Marks Park in Emmarentia to make the working agreement official.
A negotiations framework agreement will lead the two parties in a discussion to make sure both will benefit from the City’s R2,2 billion Rea Vaya expansion towards northeastern Joburg.
READ: Taxi associations and City agree to co-operate
The ANC Joburg caucus approached the High Court after its application for a secret ballot motion of no confidence in the mayor and speaker were rejected by the programming committee of the council.
In the motion the party filed against the speaker, coalition partners and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) it says it intends to launch an application at 10am on 26 September.
READ: ANC approaches High Court after no-confidence vote fail
And finally, the City warned customers that they still need to pay their accounts even while a billing query is open.
According to the group finance department, this warning was prompted by a growing trend amongst customers, who withhold payment of their bill after raising a query relating to a specific service with the City.
READ: City warns customers who withhold payment for services
