Mayors who will be elected for the current term in major metros with budgets running into billions of rands will have to make tough decisions about some of the contentious projects they will inherit.
Already there is bickering about the Nelson Mandela Bay metro’s decision to fund the struggling rugby side EP Kings to ensure their participation in the Currie Cup.
The metro approved a staggering R20-million to fund the team.
The Democratic Alliance has indicated that should it take control of the metro it will review that decision.
The City of Joburg’s R2.5-billion budget to build a new council chamber could also face strong opposition.
The decision was approved last year when the African National Congress had a majority in council.
Although the structure is said to be 55% completed‚ new councillors could question the decision and probe whether proper processes were followed.
Then there is the controversial smart electricity meter project in Tshwane.
The Auditor-General ruled that the full R880-million paid to a contractor was irregular expenditure.
The project has been challenged in court‚ and new councillors are expected to call for a full investigation‚ which could compromise politicians and officials who served in the previous council.
– TMG Digital
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