Mayor of the metro Clr Mzwandile Masina failed to inspire hope in the residents of the metro during his State of the City address, according to Clr Khetha Shandu, the programming committee spokesperson of the DA.
“Masina arrived late to address the councillors, officials, invited guests and the general public with no formal apology at the Kwa-Thema Stadium on March 27,” said Shandu.
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In his speech, Masina revealed that a total of 11 000 title deeds had not been handed to housing beneficiaries – a statement which came as a shock to the DA given the housing crisis within the metro.
“He then went on to gloat about the number of grants that the metro is expected to receive from the Gauteng provincial government, stating that premier David Makhura knows that Ekurhuleni is key for him in order to avoid governing through a coalition after the 2019 national and provincial elections.
“Clearly, this is a political move by the incumbent mayor who previously promised to resign should Cyril Ramaphosa become ANC president,” said Shandu.
According to the DA, Masina mentioned the seven suspended officials who were allegedly involved in corrupt activities, yet neglected to mention that he was brought before council regarding a highly contentious report on transport that resulted in the suspension of a head of department official.
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At an ordinary council meeting in Germiston on March 28, it emerged through the Municipal Public Account Committee (MPAC) report that there had been over R1.6-billion in wasteful expenditure for the 2016/17 financial year.
“Masina claimed that he was only responsible for R270-million of the figure and blamed the rest on his predecessor, Mondli Gungubele,” said Shandu.
“The lack of accountability is appalling and it seems as if Masina was on a mission to prove the incompetence of the metro as a whole.”
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