English soundbite by Khathutshelo Rasilingwane MPL
Today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) exposes how seventeen suspended Ekurhuleni officials are being paid over R8 million while disciplinary processes remain unresolved, including cases involving serious allegations such as corruption.
This was revealed in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in response to my questions to Gauteng MEC Jacob Mamabolo.
It is important to note that seven of these suspended officials hold managerial positions, wielding significant influence that they seemingly cannot be trusted with.
The response to my question further revealed that eight of the suspended officials have been out of work for over three months, exceeding the legally stipulated 90-day guideline for disciplinary finalisations.
The questions are simple: who is protecting these dodgy officials? Is it ANC Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, the corruption-accused City Manager Kagiso Lerutla, or both?
This is another direct assault on, and betrayal of, the people of Ekurhuleni, as the decay and service delivery failures continue. Communities go weeks without water, potholes have become a permanent feature, and residents live in fear, while the City sponsors the lifestyles of dodgy officials, rewarding them for their alleged misconduct.
Every cent of public money must be used to deliver better services and restore dignity to residents, not to fund prolonged inaction and corruption.
The DA will now follow up on these disciplinary cases, and I will fight for criminal prosecutions where necessary. Ekurhuleni is not for sale especially not to corrupt officials, not to the ANC and its proxies, and not to anyone.
When elected as the DA Mayor of Ekurhuleni, I will lead efforts to stop the corrupt crooks and get Ekurhuleni working for all.