The Rep 22 March 2019

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2 Tel: (045) 839-4040 Editorial: mjekulal@tisoblackstar.co.za - advertising: charodinev@tis o bl a ck s t a r. c o . z a THE REPRESENTATIVE 22 March 2019 Crime in and around town PROTECTING YOUR ASSETS BE VIGILANT. IF YOU SUSPECT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY AROUND YOUR HOME, YOUR NEIGHBOURS’ HOME, OR IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD, PLEASE REPORT IT TO THE POLICE. 35 Ebden Street, Komani Tel: 045 839 7228 | 044 010 0541 | Fax: 045 838 2430 Last Monday afternoon Red Guard security officers at a supermarket apprehended a suspect for theft, operations manager Willie Reinecke told The Rep. The stolen goods were recovered and the suspect was handed over to the police. A panic alarm summoned response officers to a house at midday on Wednesday, where they apprehended a suspect who was breaking in and had the door already broken open. The suspect was handed over to the police. On Friday afternoon the security officer on duty at a liquor store called for assistance. Response officers were dispatched and a suspicious person was found with a bag containing fake notes. The suspect and his fake money were handed over to the police. Response officers also attended to a panic at alarm at another liquor outlet where they apprehended a suspect who has stolen a bottle of liquor. The suspect was released after the manager allowed him to pay for the stolen liquor. On Saturday morning response officers were summoned to a shop by a panic alarm. They apprehended a suspect who has stolen a phone at the business the previous week, but the suspect was released after he gave the stolen phone back. SPCA could face closure ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA The SPCA, which has been facing serious financial constraints for the past few years, may be facing closure as it last received its monthly subsidy from Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) in March last year. This could mean an increase in animal cruelty, stray dogs and a lack of care for 71 animals currently under the care of the o r g a n i s at i o n . According to DA councillor Chris de Wet, EMLM had allocated funding for June last y e a r. SPCA acting manager Nicole Potgieter said the organisation had been depending on a corporate fund donated by a local man who had passed away, and did not understand why the money had not been paid to the SPCA in June. Potgieter said the SPCA had previously received R12,000-a- -month from the municipality, but the subsidy had been increased in June to R15, 000 and would continue till 2024. “I do not think EMLM realises how important the SPCA is, but if we do close they will, because all the animals will become their problem. The SPCA is actually there to prevent animal cruelty and not to deal with stray animals. The stray dogs are the municipality's responsibility, but because they were giving us a monthly subsidy the SPCA took care of the animals,” she said. Although three meetings were held with EMLM no steps have been taken to address the matter and no clarification was given as to why the money had been withheld. She said EMLM was the SPCA's biggest funder. For food and other expenses the SPCA had to rely on the public for help, Potgieter said. The Rep asked EMLM why the subsidy had stopped and how it planned to address the issue. Acting EMLM spokesperson Butsha Lali said he would follow this up with chief financial officer, Gcobani Mashiyi, but there had been no response at the time of going to press. A SELECTION OF PETS UP FOR ADOPTION. PLEASE COME IN AND HAVE A LOOK. Please give these pets a good home. Interested persons please phone 045 839 2819 / 082 492 5588 and ask for Nicole Potgieter. Photos by Charodine Visagie STITCH - My life is worth saving. Please be my Voice! Sponsored by BEETHOVEN - Be a hero to thousands of animals in need. BUDDY - Animals deserve kindness Sponsored by GATSBY - Uncondi- ŽŶĂůůŽĞŝ as close as your nearest shelter. Sponsored by Sponsored by Sponsored by LILY - Be the change you want to see in the world. SHERLOCK - Don’t breed or buy while homeless die. PONGO - Rescue the mistreated Love the abandoned. Sponsored by ROMEO - People that say “money can’t buy you happiness” have never paid ĂŶĂĚŽŽŶ fee. Sponsored by TONTO - Rescued is my favourite breed Sponsored by GINGER AND MOCHA - Adopt a Pet today Sponsored by - Change our world today! Sponsored by OLIVER - Our wisdom is earned. Our ŐĂĚĞ undending. Sponsored by PEPPER - Take me home today! WILLOW - Can’t adopt but want to help? Please donate. Sponsored by SUGAR - I want to come home with you. Sponsored by Sponsored by We take this opportunity to thank all those “pawsomely” kind corporates and individuals who have advertised for fur-ever homes for our waifs.
THE REPRESENTATIVE 22 March 2019 Tel: (045) 839-4040 mjekulal@tisoblackstar.co.za - advertising: charodinev@tisoblackstar. c o . z a 3 Administrator’s contract re n e w e d ANDISA BONANI The MEC for the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) Fikile Xasa, has announced the renewal of the administrator’s contract for a further six months to oversee Enoch Mgijima Local Municipalit y’s (EMLM) finances. Xasa made the announcement during a special council meeting last Thursday, after the administrator, Vuyo Mlokothi, tabled his report that was supposed to mark the end of his contract at the local authority. The MEC indicated the decision to extend M l o kot i ’s contract was taken on February 22, and came from the Eastern Cape executive committee (exco) and that it would end on September 14. Xasa said he appreciated progress made by the administrator and supported the decision by the exco. “The administrator brought fair levels of financial stability to this municipality, but there still are a number of things that need to be addressed before he steps down.” He said among those were the precautionary suspension of the suspended municipal manager, Chris Magwangqana, the filling of three managerial positions, the implementation of the financial recovery plan which had already been adopted by council, and a decision be made regarding contract workers and interns currently on the municipalit y’s payroll. “Enoch Mijima is still faced with immense challenges that require the administrator’s expertise. However, the responsibility cannot be placed on his shoulders alone. Before he departs, he must have concluded certain issues like that of the accounting officer and the filling of the manager posts which will have a financial implication on the local authorit y.” Mlokothi was appointed last year for a period of six months, ending on February 28, after Xasa invoked section 139 (1) (b) of the Constitution which made provision for intervention to ensure EMLM fulfilled its obligations as a government entity. During the announcement, Xasa mentioned when the decision to intervene was accepted it meant councillors had no power to take decisions at council, which subsequently led to him coming under fire from councillors. ANC councillor Papama Madubedube said the report by the administrator seemed outsourced and did not reflect the financial assistance that was promised prior to his placement in the municipalit y. UDM councillor Mthuthuzeli Hokolo said it was news to him that councillors had no decision-making powers because the section which Xasa invoked, only gave provision for the administrator to intervene in “some” sections of the FIKILE XASA municipalit y. The MEC must not come here and dissolve the municipality without following the procedure. Only parts of section 139 were implemented and if you say we have no powers that means you dissolved council, which is not the case. “By extending the administ rator’s contract you are killing the people of Enoch Mgijima because there has not been much change since Mlokothi was appointed.” DA councillor Malibongwe Xhelisilo said the report presented by Mlokothi was drafted by the exco based on the assessment of what the administrator had done thus far. “When you extend the administrator’s contract do not threaten to dissolve this municipality because we are ready for that. Mlokothi has been here for six months and street lights are still not working, roads still have potholes, refuse is not collected and I heard in the office where proof of residence is made, they cut paper in half. Is that what you call a cost-cutting measure?” asked Xhelisilo. Councillors slate Xasa’s wage hike ANDISA BONANI Department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) MEC Fikile Xasa, has Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) councillors up in arms over approving a 2% salary increment. The upper limits of salaries, allowances and benefits increment granted by Xasa s runs contrary to what was published in the government gazette dated December 21, where the Cogta minister made provision for a 4% increment. Council documents in possession of The Rep indicate that, in the current financial year, the municipality had budgeted for a 5% increment in councillors' salaries, allowances and benefits which therefore meant the local authority was able to make allowance for the 4% increment. Councillors demanded that Xasa, who had attended the special council meeting to announce the contract renewal of EMLM administrator Vuyo Mlokothi, explain why he defied the minister's decision and only granted a 2% increment. Council speaker Bongiwe van Heerden, said Xasa had to leave council straight after he made his announcement regarding Mlokothi's contract to attend to other urgent matters. Councillors, including those of the ANC, were up in arms, demanding their salaries be increased by 4%, which Van Heerden summed up stating, “The popular view among councillors is that the MEC abort the 2% and wait until the municipality's finances have improved, then implement the 4% increase.” ANC councillor Sibusiso Mvana said he was not happy with the speaker's summary because the MEC was supposed to have submitted a report to councillors regarding the matter so that it could be discussed. UDM councillor Mthuthuzeli Hokolo said if the MEC concurred that a 2% salary increase was appropriate, then he could keep it for himself because he did not want it. “We hear of a letter written by the MEC concurring with 2%. We want to see that letter so that we have proof and can keep it for our records for future reference.” ANC councillor Phaphama Madubedube said the MEC should approve the 2% now and then in the new financial year starting on July 1, grant the remaining 2% so it would add up to 4%. Other councillors advised that the 2% be accepted because the municipality was bankrupt and the little money it had should be used to improve service delivery. HOËRSKOOL GRENS GETROU AAN ONS LEUSE: BOU Privaatsak X02, Tecoma, 5214 Tel.: 043 721 0412 Faks.: 043 721 0414 E-pos: admin@grens.co.za OPE-AAND 16 April 2019 18:00 – 20:30 Graad 7-leerders en ouers word genooi om die skool se werksaamhede en aktiwiteite te ervaar. HUIDIGE SKOOLUNIFORM MOET ASSEBLIEF GEDRA WORD. WORD DEEL VAN DIE GRENS-FAMILIE SE FONDASIE VIR PRESTASIE. TOELATING 2020 Uitgebreide vakkeuse. Losies ook vir laerskoolleerders in koshuis beskikbaar. SLUITINGSDATUM: 31 Mei 2019 STREWE NA UITNEMENDHEID
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The Rep 22 March 2019

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