Mayor steps down

Mayor Freddy Greaver has resigned in August this year, shortly on the heels of the recalling of four Limpopo mayors including that of Capricorn

mayor Lawrence Mapoulo.

• Greaver, who became mayor of the city in September 2010, from the start of his term in office made no secret of what his focus was on: top-notch service

delivery.

Taking over a municipality in dire financial straits, Greaver revoked all leave for municipal offi cials for the remainder of the fi nancial year 2011/12 fi nancial year, saying delivery would be a priority and he would no tolerate any roll-over projects.

He issued a stern warning to contractors in the city – deliver or we will cancel your contract.

Among the projects Greaver, who is widely regarded by citizens as a hands-on and engaging mayor, saw through was a database for the unemployed, after he determined through budget consultations that the municipality would consider locals for employment opportunities, and an audit of RDP benefi ciaries and areas.

Greaver initiated several projects to raise funds for charity, including the mayoral cycle race and the mayoral golf day.

These events raised more than R1 million.

Greaver prioritised the financial sustainability of the newly- built Peter Mokaba Sports Compex, bringing to the city several Super Rugby fi xtures, which were well supported by thousands of residents.

As mayor, Greaver also put on his humanitarian hat by helping in the city’s cleaning up projects and visits to the elderly citizens of the city, just no name some.

He was presented with the Newsmaker of the Year 2011 award by the Polokwane Chamber of Business for “making headlines for the positive stories that are meant to develop and change the people of Polokwane and Limpopo’s lives for the better”.

In the same year, he was also voted as the most proactive mayor during the annual PMR awards held in the city.

Contacted for comment, Greaver opted to speak to Review at a later stage.