Sello Theletsane and Ofentse Seanego
Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse has started her tenure as the city’s first citizen by throwing R240 000 down the drain.
Africa News Global has reliably learnt that Phalatse had organised a gala dinner with 200 guests invited to announce members of her mayoral committee.
The soiree event was scheduled for Friday evening with a budget of R240 000. According to an email sent on Thursday night, her private office requested the event to be postponed due to circumstances outside their control.
Also read: EXCLUSIVE-How controversial Malawian businessman “captured” DA’s Solly Msimanga
The email from Kwezi Sogoni states that: “as per our telephonic conversation, it is with regret that the POEM (Private Office of the Executive Mayor) is requesting you to postpone preparations for the Executive Swearing-in Ceremony which had been (tentatively) scheduled for tomorrow, Friday 10 December 2021. Circumstances beyond our immediate control have unfortunately necessitated that this difficult decision be made.”
The email further acknowledges the financial implications of the move.
“Given that certain procurement processes were already set in motion, there are financial implications of which we are aware and would request that you appraise the office of such,” the email reads.
According to insiders, questions were raised regarding the need for a party to announce and swear in MMCs.
“There is no justification for a party. She could have sent out a press statement or called a press briefing to announce the names and not waste the publics money like this,” said one source.
The publication has further learned that the failure of the swearing-in will have severe implications for the running of the city. A council meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, but it’s unlikely to proceed.
Sources have also questioned the delay, with some going as far as saying it appears as though Phalatse wants to run the municipality with an iron fist.
Also read: PA and DA bosses meet to “explore possibilities”
“As things stand, many departments don’t have political direction. She is the only person who has a position and everything else is in limbo,” said the source.
Attempts to get a comment from Phalatse drew blanks. She did not respond to questions sent to her.
Sad beginning indeed…she must be held personally liable for this wasteful and fruitless expenditure
It is in their vein. They continue with their agenda since 2016 nx
She needs to climb of her high horse… people are fedup…this is very sensitive times…covid/ job losses/ daily living expenses…not thinking of the poorest of the poor…a ticking time bomb🙏🙏
What is left to say, but that we need serious political academic intervention to spell out the importance of not necessarily managerial and educational quality employers, but mature thinkers, older people whose direction of thinking is build on responsible life orientated means
There is no money streets dirty Formel Insettelements sourage water dirty fluid stinky com from there. Stop it
Is this information true