WEDNESDAY, 6.00PM:
THE Greater Johannesburg Eastern Metropolitan Local Council has been accused by Public Protector Selby Baqwa of lacking the will to govern.
A January 23 report says that the council has failed to properly enforce the provisions of the Sandton town planning scheme and has been trying to avoid its responsibilities.
“The criticism is made notwithstanding the inadequate resources behind which the council seeks to hide. The criticism arises more particularly out of what one can categorise as a lack of will to govern,” the report said.
The report follows complaints by residents of Linbro Park, Sandton, that the EMLC was not stopping illegal businesses from operating in the area. Residents who believe the businesses are lowering property values have considered legal action against the council.
Gauteng local government MEC Sicelo Shiceka was also criticised in the report for saying he was satisfied with the EMLC’s attention to its duties.