​18/11/2016 : City to institute independent investigation into Orange Farm  
 

Yesterday I met with residents of Ward 5 in Orange Farm who raised serious grievances affecting their community and sought my urgent intervention.

As is well known, I have tried to visit the community twice to hear their concerns and also inform them of my vision for the City. On both occasions our meetings were disrupted by unruly ANC supporters and the meetings had to be cancelled.

Following yesterday’s meeting, I have had a discussion with the City Manager, Mr Trevor Fowler and we have agreed that the City will be instituting an urgent, independent investigation which will include forensic investigators so as to insure no political bias or interference.

Section 156(5) of the Constitution states that, “a municipality has the right to exercise any power concerning a matter reasonably necessary for, or incidental to, the effective performance of its functions.” A similar provision is found in section 8(2) of the Municipal Systems Act.

This investigation will cover serious grievances including:

     ·       service delivery;
     ·       housing;
     ·       mismanagement and maladministration of past and present projects;
     ·       shoddy and poor quality houses that are currently being built by the City;
     ·       the selling of stands by city officials; and
     ·       the squatter camp in Drieziek 5.

I want the final terms of reference for this investigation to be determined following further engagement with the community.

The independent investigation will report back to the City with recommendations which I believe will assist us in finding real solutions to the problems faced by this community. I have instructed that this report must be finalised by the end of February 2017.

I have also been informed of previous audit reports that were produced by the City in 2014, 2015, and 2016, which were never made public. I will be urgently seeking copies of these reports which may aid the investigation.

The Orange Farm community has been neglected for far too long and it is time for this community to be lifted out of extreme poverty and a lack of basic services. This neglect has also resulted in the community loosing trust in councillors and regional officials which needs to be repaired.

I am the Mayor for all residents, no matter anyone’s political affiliation. I promised change when I came into Office and I am committed to ensuring that the Orange Farm community experience this change.

Councillor Herman Mashaba

Executive Mayor

City of Joburg

For further information, please contact:

Gabu Tugwana

Spokesperson

Office of the Executive Mayor

City of Johannesburg

Tel: 011 407 7040, Cellular: 082 495 5673, Email: gabut@joburg.org.za