Tshwane gets green light to create deputy mayor post
A report approved by the council in a November sitting has estimated that housing the deputy mayor would cost around R2-million a year.
Tshwane has been given the nod to house a deputy mayor that could cost more than R1-million per annum.
The deputy mayoral proposal has been brought about through Section 55 of the Municipal Structures Act and will also see the dissolution of an MMC position, to make space for a deputy mayor.
The proposal states that the deputy mayor would draw a salary of over R1.1-million and R40 800 cellphone allowance per annum.
Other than the personal remuneration, the estimate of the cost of providing protection and related transportation is R3.9- million.
The deputy mayor will cost about R65 792 more than a member of the mayoral committee (MMC) currently at around R1.7-million per annum.
Although the council still needs to formally elect someone to the position, Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink previously told Rekord that the post would go to coalition partner ActionSA.
Tshwane mayoral spokesperson Sipho Stuurman said the Gauteng MEC responsible for local government approved the proposal after the Tshwane council speaker asked him to consider the report approved by the council during its November 9 meeting.
“The MEC has responded positively and told the city to proceed in line with the council resolution to create a deputy mayor position,” Stuurman said.
If the proposal manifests into reality the deputy mayor’s main task will be to share the mayor’s workload and steer the metro, if a mayor is unavailable.
The post will be created with the approval of Gauteng MECs.
The figures are determined in the ministerial determination on the remuneration of public officials and Tshwane is regarded as a grade 6 municipality.
The financial implications of the post are as follows:
– two four/five-seater 4-door sedans of R1-million each
– salary of R422 611 each for four council members
– a clothing allowance of R15 000 each for four council members
To create a deputy mayor position, Tshwane will have to scrap one MMC position.
This will reduce the number of the MMCs to nine, ensuring the deputy serves as the 10th member of the mayoral committee.
The deputy mayor cannot be dismissed by the mayor but rather by the council.
Role of Deputy Mayor:
– The chosen candidate will control the levers of Tshwane’s power if the first citizen is absent or not available.
– The mayor may also issue further powers and functions to the deputy.
– The mayor may dismiss any of the MMC, however, not the deputy as that would remain the competency of the council.
The council is yet to consider subsequent reports before the post is declared.
During a November 9 continuation council meeting, several councillors criticised the proposal for the deputy mayor position.
Brink denied that the cost of the deputy would amount to R5-million as alleged by opposition parties.
“It is not true that there is a cost of R5-million and is certainly not in the report.
“The financial situation of Tshwane has been in consideration during the process to establish the position.”
EFF councillor Obakeng Ramabodu rejected the proposal saying the position would not benefit the metro.
“This position will cost us [Tshwane] resources and our calculations tally R40-million that must be spent on this position such as blue light benefits, staffing costs and other package expenses entitled to the position.
“We cannot pay workers, maintain infrastructure and provide service delivery. We reject this proposal.”
Good party Tshwane councillor Sarah Mabotsa also rejected the report.
“The timing is wrong for this proposal. The idea is good, however Good party does not support the proposal.”
Mabotsa suggested that Tshwane get its troubled financial affairs in order before creating the position.
Another EFF councillor Godwin Ratikwane also called on the mayor to halt the proposal.
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