Tau denies DA’s ‘unfounded’ claims
The City of Johannesburg has rubbished claims by Democratic Alliance (DA) that Mayor Parks Tau has been trying to bury a critical public protector’s report, on an investigation into alleged maladministration.
DA councillor Andrew Cadman claimed that in his efforts to bury the report, Tau attempted to mislead the City council during the council meeting, Rosebank-Killarney Gazette reported.
Cadman said on 17 December last year, the public protector issued a report entitled Broken Promises, on its investigation into alleged maladministration by the City. According to the report, the City failed to comply with its bylaws and the Constitution regarding hijacked buildings.
“The report arises out of a complaint, by Mr and Mrs Kgaudi, of maladministration and improper conduct by the City in relation to two property-owning companies that they had acquired for commercial purposes, the buildings on which properties have been occupied illegally,” Cadman said.
According to Cadman, one of the public protector’s findings was that the City had failed without good reason and over a long period of time to terminate electricity services when requested to do so by the complainants. This is contrary to the requirements of the City’s debt control policy and the Municipal Systems Act.
The City allegedly billed the complainants for municipal services, notwithstanding the termination request and in contravention of its own bylaws. He also claimed the City had failed to enforce its own bylaws and policies in relation to the illegal occupation of the buildings.
Cadman claimed that the City had known about the need for housing for the illegal occupants and did nothing about it.
However, the City’s spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said the allegations were unfounded and would not be entertained by the mayor.
“The mayor supports all Chapter 9 institutions, including the Office of the public protector, with which he has established a good working relationship – and this is further acknowledged in the Broken Promises report,” Modingoane said.
“Upon receiving the public protector’s report, the mayor presented it to the Johannesburg Mayoral Committee which then – subject to all legal prescripts – instructed the administration to comply with all the recommendations of the public protector,” he added.
– Caxton News Service
Read original story on rosebankkillarneygazette.co.za
