The stories which reached the highest readership online ranged from power outages to council chaos.
1. No more free water for residents
The City’s MMC for Finance announced during his budget speech that the first 6kl of water used would no longer be free post 1 July. Only households registered with the City’s expanded social package programme will receive between 10kl and 15kl of free water per month. Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba said it is the trend across the country’s metros to no longer provide free water to all residents, but only to registered indigent residents.
2. Water restrictions gardeners must know about
Although water restrictions still remain in Joburg, residents were unsure of what is and what is not allowed when it comes to watering gardens. The current restrictions allow residents to water their gardens only during night time hours. From 1 September to 31 March, between 6am and 6pm, residents are not permitted to water their garden. Residents also cannot use a hosepipe to clean paved areas and driveways with the municipality’s water.
3. Chaos at Joburg’s council chamber as marchers wreck havoc
Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba was accused by protesters, who were later revealed to be of the Johannesburg Social Movement, of being biased because he did not want to retrieve a memorandum for the Jozi@Work protesters. Protesters approached the foyer of the council chamber, broke the paneled glass and entered the chamber. Councillor’s laptops were broken, papers were flung, a table overthrown and glassware broken.
4. Recruitment for Metro police officers begins
After a staggering 65 000 applications were received for the 1 500 Metro police positions, the department had to sift through and pre-qualify them down to 7 500 who still have to undergo tough physical fitness tests.
5. Ward councillors’ contact details
A simple, handy list containing the contact details of all the ward councillors’ contact details.
