City’s financial report: All good news?

On Thursday morning (28 January) the MMC for Finance Geoffrey Makhubho’s speech at the city’s presentation of its financial year annual report seemed to only highlight the positive outcomes.

Makhubho was pleased to report the city received an unqualified audit opinion from the Auditor General, but failed to elaborate on the issues the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) still face in the current financial year. In his speech, he failed to mention what the Auditor General recommended in this regard.

“In his report the Auditor General highlights some issues that require further attention,” is all Makhubho had to say about it.

“I want to assure you that the City is looking into all of these and correcting them as part of our quest to improve the overall quality of our administration.”

He was adamant in providing good news, for example stating that more municipal-owned entities (MEs) in 2015/2014 achieved clean audits that in earlier reports, failing to mention that only six out of 15 MEs achieved clean audits, a mere 40 per cent of the lot. He failed to mention the issues entities like City Power, City Parks, Joburg Water and Metrobus are riddled with. He failed to mention, in his speech specifically, how vandalism of public property and cable theft, power outages and water leakages trouble residents and disrupt service delivery. In the presentation, and not in his speech, was it listed that unemployment levels continue to be high, especially youth unemployment at 24.5 per cent. Backlogs and inequality in household services was listed, but he failed to mention what the city’s strategies are to deal with these issues.

An issue that specifically burdens residents in Roodepoort, the installment of smart meters and the endless issues experienced thereafter, was mentioned as an achievement when Makhubho boasted 61 871 meters have been installed.

Joburg EMS was praised for a 4.22 per cent reduction in the mortality rate, but Roodepoort’s station was highlighted in the media throughout the year regarding mismanagement, lack of firefighting equipment and manpower.

He also stated the city recorded 9.55 per cent less ‘common’ crimes as 8 818 fewer crimes were reported in the year, failing to take into account communities having lost faith in local law enforcement and thus many individuals forewent opening cases.

The Record invited local councillors to comment on these oversights, but would also like to hear from residents. What do you think the MMC missed? Are you happy with the report?*

* MMC Mkhubho’s full notes are can be read here.

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