New City of Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga says his first cost-cutting step will be\u00a0putting an end to ‘exorbitant’ parties and celebratory dinners for politicians.<\/p>\n
Times Media<\/a> reported that Msimanga has put a stop to all inaugural parties and catered inaugural events for Tshwane\u2019s new executive.<\/p>\n \u201cThis new government in Tshwane has stopped the spending of exorbitant amounts on food and parties for politicians. We must serve the people\u201a not party with public funds\u201a\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cMy focus now is to assess the massive issues we have inherited in Tshwane\u201a and there is no time to stop for lavish dinners and lunches.\u201d<\/p>\n Times Media also reported that Msimanga will request that all international travel for politicians and officials of Tshwane\u201a will need to be put through a mayoral committee and will be subject to cost-benefit analyses.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are benefits to international travel for trade and investment\u201a but a culture of taking trips to conferences and junkets all over the world will not be allowed under my government. I have stopped all new international travel requests and we will carefully scrutinise each one individually\u201a\u201d Msimanga said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Msimanga earlier this month, vowed to put an end to blue lights in traffic in the city.<\/p>\n \u201cBlue lights will be a thing of the past in the city. The only person who will have blue lights will be the president of the country,\u201d Msimanga said.<\/p>\n \u201cGone are the days where publicly-elected officials will think they are VIPs.\u00a0 The only VIPs will be the people of the city.\u201d<\/p>\n Msimanga said that was to ensure that leaders never get to think they are more important than the people who put them in office.<\/p>\n \u201cThe moment people feel like they are more important that\u2019s when they start serving themselves instead of serving the communities. Our officials will also need to be engaging with our communities more instead of only when there are service delivery protests,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is saying to our people that we value you, you are more important and we will come listen to you and we will act on what you are saying.\u201d<\/p>\n No more blue lights for VIPs in Tshwane: DA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n DA sweeps top 3 positions in Tshwane \u2013 ANC\u2019s Didiza is a no-show<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nMore on the DA<\/h3>\n