DOUBLE PAY FOR GAUTENG GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL

The MEC for Local Government and Housing, Humphrey Mmezi, yesterday ducked questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature regarding a senior official in his department who is also a Johannesburg councillor.

Fred Mokoko earns R37 500 per month as the Director for Media Liaison in the Gauteng Department for Local Government and Housing and R29 000 as an ANC councillor in the Joburg Metro. Combined this is an annual salary of almost R800 000.

The MEC indicated that no officials in his Department has or will be granted permission to be a councillor. I commend the MEC's approach in this regards.

However, when I asked the MEC about what action he will take against Mokoko, for contravening sections of the Public Service Regulations, he refused to indicate willingness to take action.

I call on the MEC to take immediate action in the case of Mokoko - to put this matter to bed.

The separation of powers is an important Constitutional principle, and when an official within a Department has to conduct oversight over municipalities is also a councillor - it subverts separation of power, amounting to a conflict of interest.

Statement issued by Fred Nel, MPL, DA Gauteng Local Government spokesman, September 7 2011

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