As a new year rolls by, business is going ahead at the City of Johannesburg. Let us find out what news may affect you from last week.
The City of Johannesburg appointed public safety veteran David Tembe as its new Metro police chief much to civil society’s resounding approval.
Crime activist Yusuf Abramjee approved and said Tembe is a man of integrity and experience. Justice Project South Africa also voiced their satisfaction on Twitter.
However, not everyone is happy about Tembe’s appointment. The ANC in Joburg has started legal procedures to have Tembe’s appointment set aside.
ANC Johannesburg regional spokesperson Jolidee Matongo said the DA-led coalition in the City flouted recruitment and appointment processes to appoint their chosen candidates.
READ: Resounding approval for Joburg’s new Metro chief, but ANC disapproves
Executive Mayor of Johannesburg Herman Mashaba declared a local state of disaster after the latest storm tore parts of Joburg to near shreds.
The storm lifted roofs, ripped up trees and left many homeless on 30 December.
In Northcliff and other surrounding suburbs, many were left without power for days thereafter. More than 3 000 households were affected and property damage has been estimated at R186.5 million and counting.
READ: Severe storm damage – City declares a local state of disaster
The infamous billing crisis was unfortunately not left behind as the clock struck 12 on New Year’s Eve.
Last year, billing open days were hailed the City’s saviours in this regard, however, only one ever took place. As the months went on, more billing days were postponed or cancelled.
Now, the City said it is reevaluating the need for more of these days. Lufuno Mashau, the City’s acting group CFO said the open days cost more and took a lot of resources to organise.
It was not only costly, he said, but interrupted normal service delivery and the City’s IT infrastructure had to be moved. Instead, the City will start ensuring that regional centres deliver the same service which was delivered at the first open day on a daily basis.
READ: No more billing open days
On 8 January, the mayor and many senior City officials decided to go on a revenue collection blitz.
The day ended with 24 arrests, six of which were suspected of illegally connecting to municipal services, and therefore dodging a bill that allegedly mounted to more than R3 million.
The other 18 people who were arrested are allegedly undocumented foreign nationals.
READ: 24 arrested in City crackdown on illegal connections
