27/09/2016: Previous administration in Joburg spent R190 million on travel in 3 years
It has come to my attention that over the past three years the previous administration in our City spent R190 million of public money on travel. In the past financial year alone, R73 million was spent on travel.
This misuse of public money is deplorable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. This could only have happened in an environment where travel opportunities were handed out to too many people, groups indulged in excessive luxury and, they had no regard for the value of travel to the residents of the City.
This is coming to an immediate end.
I wish to assure the residents that I will never abuse their money in this manner. While the previous administration can be depicted as one of style over substance, my administration will be one of substance over style.
In light of this alarming revelation, I have written to the City Manager, Mr Trevor Fowler, requesting that the following steps are immediately taken to curb further abuse of public money on travel.
1. All international travel conducted by any representative of the City, which incurs expenditure for the City, must be approved directly by me in my capacity as Executive Mayor. This will be considered on a cost/benefit analysis to the residents of the City.
2. A plan must be developed that will see costs of travel reduced drastically by focusing on the following elements:
a. The size of the delegation traveling overseas;
b. The class of hotel accommodation;
c. The length of stay relative to the duration of the commitment;
d. The class of travel on international and domestic travel; and
e. Any possible travel allowances that may be afforded.
I am confident that with the enforcement of a strict travel policy that seeks to limit the costs of travel, this new administration will be able to save millions each year and ensure that we can fulfil two important requirements: 1. representing our City overseas at critical events that bring value to our City, and 2. curbing expenditure spent on luxuries that can be redirected for the benefit of our residents.
We must value certain international travel as a means to foster relations and encourage investment which will facilitate job creation – the number one priority of my administration.
I pledge to only authorise international travel that will produce direct returns in terms of investment in our City and which meets our international obligations.
Gone are the days of luxury for self-serving political leadership in our City.
Executive Mayor
Councillor Herman Mashaba
City of Joburg
Media enquiries:
Tony Taverna-Turisan
Mayoral Director of Communications
082 920 9708
Previous administration in Joburg spent R190 million on travel in 3 years
It has come to my attention that over the past three years the previous administration in our City spent R190 million of public money on travel. In the past financial year alone, R73 million was spent on travel.
This misuse of public money is deplorable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. This could only have happened in an environment where travel opportunities were handed out to too many people, groups indulged in excessive luxury and, they had no regard for the value of travel to the residents of the City.
This is coming to an immediate end.
I wish to assure the residents that I will never abuse their money in this manner. While the previous administration can be depicted as one of style over substance, my administration will be one of substance over style.
In light of this alarming revelation, I have written to the City Manager, Mr Trevor Fowler, requesting that the following steps are immediately taken to curb further abuse of public money on travel.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->All international travel conducted by any representative of the City, which incurs expenditure for the City, must be approved directly by me in my capacity as Executive Mayor. This will be considered on a cost/benefit analysis to the residents of the City.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->A plan must be developed that will see costs of travel reduced drastically by focusing on the following elements:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a. <!--[endif]-->The size of the delegation traveling overseas;
<!--[if !supportLists]-->b. <!--[endif]-->The class of hotel accommodation;
<!--[if !supportLists]-->c. <!--[endif]-->The length of stay relative to the duration of the commitment;
<!--[if !supportLists]-->d. <!--[endif]-->The class of travel on international and domestic travel; and
<!--[if !supportLists]-->e. <!--[endif]-->Any possible travel allowances that may be afforded.
I am confident that with the enforcement of a strict travel policy that seeks to limit the costs of travel, this new administration will be able to save millions each year and ensure that we can fulfil two important requirements: 1. representing our City overseas at critical events that bring value to our City, and 2. curbing expenditure spent on luxuries that can be redirected for the benefit of our residents.
We must value certain international travel as a means to foster relations and encourage investment which will facilitate job creation – the number one priority of my administration.
I pledge to only authorise international travel that will produce direct returns in terms of investment in our City and which meets our international obligations.
Gone are the days of luxury for self-serving political leadership in our City.
Executive Mayor
Councillor Herman Mashaba
City of Joburg
Media enquiries:
Tony Taverna-Turisan
Mayoral Director of Communications
082 920 9708
