​The Office of the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councilor Geoffrey Makhubo, has noted with concern false reports relating to the City's Budget and the allowances of Councilors.

The City Press/News24 online publication has falsely accused the Executive Mayor of increasing his own salary through a headline which states “According to the proposed budget, Makhubo is planning on giving himself a R106 000 pay rise – a hefty R 1 445 060 annual salary."

This is based on a false statement made by the former Executive Mayor of the City and leader of the People's Dialogue, Herman Mashaba.

Salaries and allowances of the Mayor and all other political office bearers in Johannesburg and across all municipalities, provinces and national spheres are determined by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers, currently Chaired by Judge Leeuw.

At no point does the Executive Mayor or Council determine their own salaries.

The former Mayor is himself a beneficiary of the same benefits and determinations of the Independent Commission during his three years as Executive Mayor and had he taken time to familiarize himself with the laws and policies governing local government, he would have known that at no point does the Executive Mayor or Council determine salaries of the Executive and Councilors.

His statements are not factual and are intended to deliberately mislead the public for cheap political points. They are an act of desperation to give relevance to his new political outfit.

The Draft Budget of the City will be tabled to Council today, 09 July 2020, and it is a budget that is carefully crafted to ensure we respond to the immediate needs of the poor and vulnerable as well as to continue to provide reliable and efficient services to ratepayers and residents.

“The Budget to be presented before Council is without doubt affected by the significant reductions in revenue, as brought about by the pandemic. As a responsible City government, we will not over-commit to residents in the face of lower revenues and a continued lockdown" said Mayor Makhubo.

The Executive Mayor has also shared with his caucus last week that he would not be accepting a salary increase and in line with the commitment he made at the beginning of the lockdown, when he donated a third of his salary to the Solidarity Fund, the proposed increase amount will be donated to the same fund.

END.

For Media Enquiries

Mlimandlela Ndamase

Director: Mayoral Communications

MlimandlelaN@joburg.org.za

083 480 0014