There’s never a dull week at the City of Johannesburg. Let’s take a look at the top stories you may have missed the past two weeks.
The ANC’s bid to debate a motion of no confidence in Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba and Speaker of Council Vasco Da Gama was struck off the court roll on 26 September. The South Gauteng High Court struck the motion off the roll on the basis that it was not urgent. The ANC has since vowed to approach the Constitutional Court on an urgent basis, to get an order that will force the council to have the motion debated and also voted through a secret ballot.
Read: ANC’s bid to debate motion of no confidence in mayor and speaker struck off court roll
The highly anticipated council sitting on 27 and 28 September saw many developments. In the first instance, the ANC left the council chamber during the 27 September council sitting due to ‘the DA’s smelly attitude’. This was the third consecutive council meeting that was abandoned.
Read: ANC leaves council because of ‘smelly’ attitude from DA councillors
The next day, however, the presence of EFF councillors made it possible for the council to carry out its duties including the much awaited institutional review and staff establishment plan. This plan presents a new structure to streamline the activities of the City. The new management structure now reports to the city manager, Dr Ndivho Lukhwareni. The new structure will have 12 senior managers instead of 38, who will focus on infrastructure services, social services, economic development, and core functions like regulatory approvals, policy and compliance. These managers will also focus on functions that support the City’s internal operations. The changes will be implemented over the next 18 months.
Read more: City must become more customer-centred – Mashaba
At the same meeting, councillors also the use of 12 City-owned properties for low-cost housing. This is part of the plan to tackle the inner city housing problem. Estimates show that some 30 000 accommodation units are required in the short term to address the needs of the most vulnerable households within the city.
Read: 12 city buildings approved for low-cost housing
The long-awaited revamp of the M1 Oxford and Federation bridges has been done. After almost two years of maintenance work, the main arterial is again open to the public. The northbound section of the bridge will open on 9 October and the southbound section on 16 October for safety reasons, the Johannesburg Roads Agency said.
Read more: WATCH: M1 bridge upgrade finally makes way for motorists
