New brooms sweeping. Dividends start flowing for Joburg, NMB ratepayers.

Democracies are the ultimate shared-value model. Like in the business world, when all parties participate, everyone wins. But as in companies, when unfettered power is vested in the highest office, it stimulates corruption faster than the sea air breeds rust in exposed metal. The ANC is bearing the brunt of that process now with the new brooms sweeping away dirt which accumulated during two decades of absolute control in major metros. Last week Tshwane’s new Mayor started the ball rolling. Now his DA counterparts in Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Bay are following suit. Competitive politics works wonders. And quickly.  – Alec Hogg

From Fin24

Cape Town – Gauteng owes the City of Joburg R259m in unpaid rates and has 30 days to hand over the money, mayor Herman Mashaba revealed on Monday.

“Following an investigation I can reveal that Gauteng government departments owe the City of Joburg R259m in outstanding rates,” Mashaba said in a statement.

Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba
Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba

Mashaba, the Democratic Alliance member who took over the mayoral post after the African National Congress lost the city in the local elections, has hit the ground running.

Last week Mashaba stopped a bicycle lane project worth R70m as he said the money should first be used to tar roads that are in poor form.

In Monday’s announcement, he said he would write to Gauteng premier David Makhura, giving his government 30 days to either pay the R259m or enter into an acceptable repayment agreement with the City, “as any other defaulting resident is expected to do”.

“Failure to do so will result in the City taking immediate action – where possible – cutting services to defaulting departments,” said Mashaba. “We urge the defaulting departments to urgently comply within this timeframe so that such action will not be necessary.”

He said the departments guilty of failing to meet their rates payments are as follows:

The Department of Infrastructure and Development – R161m; The Department of Human Settlements – R39m; and The Department of Health – R59m.“These provincial government departments, who budget for rates and taxes, have not paid their dues to the city for a long time,” he said. “One has to ask: what has happened to their budget, which would have been set aside for this purpose?”

He said the debt had accumulated over time. “It is disgraceful that the previous ANC-led administration allowed the ANC-run provincial government to get away with this for so long,” he said.

“I have a clear message to give to Premier Makhura and his government: from today, you will not receive free lunches in the City of Joburg any longer. Pay up or face the consequences.

“Between April and June this year, money owed by residents to the City grew by R2.8bn. Evidently, the provincial government has been a large contributor to this.”

An indaba on City bills is set to take place next week, he said. – Fin24

Source: http://www.fin24.com/Economy/joburg-mayor-tells-gauteng-to-pay-back-the-money-20160919

Trollip bans business, 1st class trips for Nelson Mandela Bay officials

By Paul Herman, News24

Port Elizabeth – Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Athol Trollip has banned city and public officials from flying Business or First Class during domestic work trips. “Under previous administrations, an excessive amount of money was spent on luxurious travel instead of on service delivery. Those days are over,” Trollip said in a statement on Sunday.

Trollip said that officials travelling for the purposes of city business would now only use economy class.

Visitors walk past a metal sculpture of former President Nelson Mandela in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, ahead of local government elections, July 29, 2016. Picture taken July 29, 2016. REUTERS/Staff/Joe Brock
Visitors walk past a metal sculpture of former President Nelson Mandela in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, ahead of local government elections, July 29, 2016. REUTERS/Staff/Joe Brock

“Furthermore, travel arrangements will be co-ordinated well in advance so as to secure the lowest possible fares. This will be negotiated with our current service providers.

Trollip said his administration had made a promise to save R100m in its first 100 days in office, to be redirected towards improving service delivery and creating jobs.

The latest move was to help achieve this, he added.

President Jacob Zuma, meanwhile, flew SAA in his latest visit to the US on Saturday.

Zuma said that it had been a pleasant experience and encouraged South Africans to use the service.

Cope welcomed the news that Zuma flew SAA to the United States on Saturday, and congratulated the president for promoting the state-owned airline.

“This is a brilliant move in the right direction, and we congratulate Mr Zuma for this,” spokesperson Dennis Bloem said in a statement.

“Cope hopes that Mr Zuma continues to use SAA because it will also assist government cut unnecessary costs.”

The party hoped Zuma would continue to lead by example and cut extravagant government spending.

“It’s quite clear that Mr Zuma had enjoyed the flight. In his own words he said he enjoyed the ‘excellent hospitality’ and had a ‘restful and pleasant’ journey.

“The country can no longer afford the extravagant lifestyle and it must start with his bloated executive.”

The Presidency earlier in the week denied claims that Zuma preferred using chartered planes instead of the South African Air Force fleet.

In 2015, Zuma faced intense criticism following reports that R4 billion would be spent on acquiring a new plane for him and his entourage.

It was reported that the luxury jet would also have a conference room, bathroom and private bedroom, and would accommodate 30 passengers.

The purchasing of a new presidential plane is still being discussed in Parliament. – News24

Source: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/trollip-bans-business-1st-class-trips-for-nelson-mandela-bay-officials-20160918

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