By Mashamba Media
news@alexreporter.co.za
The Speaker of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Council, Cllr. Margaret Arnolds, is highly concerned with the allegations of intimidation levelled against the leader of the opposition in council, Cllr Belinda Echezenjoku.
City Power officials have alleged that the said Councillor has sought to intimidate and prevent them from accesing her property/properties to verify meter readings and supply connections.
Also of concern to the Speaker are the allegations that the Councillor concerned has failed to honor her responsibilities by paying to the city what is due to it for rates and utilities.
“As Councilors we are not exempted from the City’s revenue collection efforts and attempts to curb illegal connections. We must in fact be the most transparent and compliant with the City’s rates policy.
“We cannot, as Councillors, encourage residents to pay and pressurize the City to collect revenue and deliver services, when we as Councilors default and obstruct the City from carrying out this mandate against us,” said Cllr Arnolds.
Arnolds asid it was the speaker’s firm view that City must on a quarterly basis, provide the speaker with a report on the compliance and payment behavior of Councilors for rates and services.
Ahe said this would allow the Speaker and City to conduct firm oversight and accountability on Councilors where their city accounts are concerned.
“We must be willing to show to residents that we are not hypocrites and that the same standards applicable to residents, apply to us on payment for services.
“We encourage all residents to service their monthly accounts and extend our appreciation to the million plus residents who without fail, do so on a monthly basis,” Arnolds said.
The speaker said she will engage with Councilors and the Whips of parties to reinforce the message of equality and to emphasize the importance of meeting obligations to the City timeously and consistently.
Pic credit: City Press.