×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

New metro mayors start to feel heat

DA's Herman Mashaba celebrating his victory after being elected as the new Mayor of Johannesburg. Photo Thulani Mbele. 22/08/2016
DA's Herman Mashaba celebrating his victory after being elected as the new Mayor of Johannesburg. Photo Thulani Mbele. 22/08/2016

New City of Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba says it will be premature of him to pronounce any approach to privatise waste management utility Piktup, instead emphasising his commitment to excellent service delivery and job creation for the people of Johannesburg.

Mashaba's assertion came after various statements about his intentions to privatise the troubled entity.

The 57-year-old politician, the first DA mayor of Joburg, yesterday dismissed the statements by interested parties and stakeholders. But he told Sowetan sister paper, the Sunday Times at the weekend, that he intended to unbundle the entity from the city.

"At this early point in time it would be premature of me to pronounce any approach to sorting out the deep-rooted problems at Pikitup. We need to be very careful in the process we follow because at the end of the day we want what is best for the people of Johannesburg," said Mashaba in a statement last night.

"In this instance, that means excellent service delivery and ensuring job losses are not a by-product of any decisions that my administration makes."

Tshwane’s Msimanga pulls the plug on ‘lavish dinners and lunches’

Mashaba said during the past seven months of the campaign, he met with residents from all corners of the city, who had serious concerns about the state of Pikitup and its ability to deliver on its mandate.

He said during the interactions he promised residents that "I would take their concerns seriously if elected mayor, and would investigate this entity and look for solutions that would be in the best interests of all stakeholders".

"For years, Pikitup has been plagued with systemic problems that have prevented it from fulfilling its duty to keep Johannesburg clean. This is something that has to be addressed and I'm committed to doing so. With the support of our newly appointed MMC for environment and infrastructure services, Anthony Still, I wish to follow an inclusive and transparent process of assessment and consultation - and must include trade unions - to determine what is in the best interests of all

"During this process, I am committed to two central pillars. Firstly, the delivery of better services to the residents of this city. Secondly, the protection and promotion of jobs. I would like to affirm that there is currently no plan to privatise Pikitup."

Mashaba also asked the people of Johannesburg to be patient and allow the DA to correct "years of mismanagement and decay in Johannesburg".

"We need to start from scratch and, step by step, build an inclusive city that we can all be proud of."

Meanwhile, Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga has promised to nail ANC councillors who led the previous administration. Msimanga, who was giving a report during a council meeting yesterday, pulled out files of forensic reports from his bag and then waved them in the direction of ANC councillors.

"Let me explain to the house why there is this boiling thing happening across us. You see, I am sitting with reports that are starting to shine some light on some of the dealings that have been taking place.

"So, we understand what is happening, I have five [reports] here. These are forensic reports that have been suppressed for the longest of time. Believe you me, we are coming. We are coming.

"If you think that everything was swept under the carpet you have another thing coming. Some will change their suits into the orange uniform very soon," Msimanga said.

Minutes after making his acceptance speech, Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina had to fend off threats of a court challenge.

DA caucus leader and the party's mayoral candidate Ghaleb Cachalia threatened to take the metro to court if it continued to employ former ANC councillors as heads of departments (HODs). He claimed it was to appease them after failing to return as members of council.

"We will hold you to book and put you in jail, if need be. We're fully aware that you have been appointing HODs unlawfully to accommodate ANC councillors who did not make the list. Best you stop it now," he said.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.