Fraud-accused ANC mayor plays hide and seek with his party
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Johannesburg - Former ANC MP and JB Marks Local Municipality executive mayor Kgotso Khumalo has placed his party in a conundrum after his councillors rejected the DA’s motion of no confidence against him despite his party’s big bosses’ order to those facing criminal charges to step aside.
The majority of ANC councillors voted against the DA’s motion on March 30 – less than 24 hours after the ANC national executive committee ordered all those facing criminal charges to step aside or face suspension.
Adding to the ANC’s woes, last week Khumalo successfully ensured the appointment of member of the mayoral committee Leon Mkhabela as acting mayor while he was busy with consultation with his lawyers before his criminal trial on Friday.
Chris Hattingh lays out the realities of the South African economy and how the people to whom the government promises prosperity at every turn, are still struggling. He agrees that a free market economy is not a panacea, but at least, it offers dignity and agency to citizens. If the government truly believes in the power of the people, then why is its ideology so paternalist? The government needs to stop throwing money into SOEs and whittling away at economic freedoms, Hattingh says, and take some free-market medicine. – Melani Nathan
“Power to the people” means economic freedom, not state paternalism
Chris Hattingh
NATIONAL NEWS - Reports of alleged corruption plaguing the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) – one of the vehicles being touted to administer the National Health Insurance (NHI) – should not come as a surprise.
The Free Market Foundation (FMF) notes with concern these reports, and stresses to both government and citizens the crucial lesson that must be learned from this scandal.
No matter the amount of money poured into a potential NHI, this will only open the door to yet more corruption and widespread inefficiencies.
According to News24, “The accusations of graft at GEMS are detailed in a series of 10 explosive forensic reports which show that over a period of five years the scheme had appointed and paid more than R300 million to companies in which some of its executives had direct financial interests.”
Voëlklip: No foul play suspected | George Herald georgeherald.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from georgeherald.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The wreck of Mazda that was recovered on Sunday morning 21 February. Photo: Salette Cloete Update
GEORGE NEWS - The possible temporary closure of the Voëlklip road has led to heated discussions on various social media platforms in the last couple of days after yet another vehicle went over the cliff at Hansie se Bank recently.
And while some agree with the closure and others don t, there is no doubt that something has to be done to avoid possible future deaths at the breathtaking viewpoint.
Following a site visit by George Mayor Leon van Wyk, members of the mayoral committee, various officials and role players, a task team was established earlier this month to look at options to address issues pertaining to the road.