Joburg mum on mayor’s court orders

Parks Tau -Executive Mayor of the city of Johannesburg. Caring Cities - Metropolis Annual meeting 2013 held at the Hilton Hotel, Johannesburg. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 17/07/2013

Parks Tau -Executive Mayor of the city of Johannesburg. Caring Cities - Metropolis Annual meeting 2013 held at the Hilton Hotel, Johannesburg. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 17/07/2013

Published May 15, 2014

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Johannesburg - City of Johannesburg would not comment on Thursday on a report that mayor Parks Tau may face arrest over two contempt of court orders.

This was after two complainants took the city to court over incorrect electricity billing.

City of Johannesburg spokesman Nthatisi Modingoane said in a statement that the city did not discuss client information.

“However, we consider the contempt of court in a serious light and steps are being taken that there are no reoccurrences.

“The condition leading to the order of court in the first instance is being addressed through correcting the root causes.”

He said disciplinary steps would be taken where there had been a dereliction of duty or negligence.

In a report by The Star, the managing agents at a Randburg complex went to the High Court in Johannesburg in June 2012 to dispute a municipal bill which claimed the complex owed the city over R2.6 million for electricity.

The court ordered the city to repair or replace the electricity meter, to adjust the accounts, and issue a full statement within 15 days.

The order was ignored and one of the complex's managing agents took the matter to court for a contempt of court order application, which was granted.

The city was ordered to pay a R10,000 fine within 90 days and to issue a correct bill, which was not done.

In a second matter, Tau and his mayoral committee were ordered to pay a R50,000 fine for contempt of court after the city “refused” to issue a correct bill to the Hellenic Community.

The Star reported Tau - as the head of the city - was ultimately responsible for ensuring that the billing department responded to the court order.

Sapa

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