This week the City of Johannesburg’s budget speech was delivered by Finance MMC Funzela Ngobeni, but even though the focus was on the speech, there were a lot of happenings in the City this week.
Firstly, an acting building control officer was finally appointed by Joburg council.
After numerous council sittings and failed attempts to fill the position for the City of Johannesburg, the hot seat has finally been filled by the former assistant director in National Building Regulations, Celiwe Mtebula.
Mtebula’s acting appointment comes as investigations are being conducted into the former building control officer who was suspended last month and who faces various allegations of misconduct.
READ: Acting building control officer finally appointed by Joburg council
The Inkhata Freedom Party’s (IFP) MMC for Housing Mzobanzi Ntuli was removed by Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba.
“Despite former MMC Ntuli’s best efforts, the department’s performance has not improved,” said Mashaba.
“While this is primarily a function of the administration of this department, it is going to require different leadership to affect the turnaround of this critical function in the City.”
The IFP’s Gauteng caucus leader, Bonginkosi Dhlamini, said the party was not surprised but disappointed by Mashaba’s unilateral decision to remove Ntuli.
Dhlamini added that even though the IFP was still committed to the multi-party government, it would announce its next move in due course.
The African Christian Democratic Paty’s Meshack van Wyk is now the new Housing MMC.
READ: IFP disappointed after its Housing MMC fired by Mashaba
Bogus Johannesburg Water and City Power officials have been doing the rounds across Joburg attempting to collect money and even commit crimes in people’s homes.
The City of Johannesburg said official uniforms and identity cards were being used by the criminals.
Meanwhile, the Fairland Police Station has issued a warning about occupants of an Eskom-branded vehicle who are wearing yellow reflective vests and are demanding access to properties.
READ: WARNING: Bogus City officials duping Joburgers
Former MMC for Housing, the African National Congress’ Dan Bovu, has seemingly not been acquitted by the courts but the case was rather withdrawn due to witnesses being unwilling to testify.
The National Prosecuting Authority South Gauteng spokesperson, Phindi Louw, said the prosecutor had to provisionally withdraw the case because the key witness sent an affidavit stating that they would not testify.
The case was withdrawn because there were no longer any witnesses.
“The docket is still at the Special Commercial Crimes Court for further consideration,” she said.
READ: Mashaba: ANC celebrated former MMC’s ‘acquittal’ too early
And finally, the budget speech. Joburg’s R59-billion budget for the next fiscal year, starting in July, was tabled on 24 May by Finance MMC Funzela Ngobeni and we have put together 15 important points Ngobeni spoke on during his maiden budget speech.
Read it here: 15 things you need to know about Joburg’s budget
