City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, councillor Nico de Jager, feels that the Public Protector’s comments on Pikitup are unacceptable.
“I am deeply disappointed in comments made by the Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, stating that Pikitup failed to implement remedial action as per her report in October last year,” De Jager said.
He stated that a grievance letter expressing the waste management entity’s objection to false comments made by her office regarding Pikitup has been sent to the Public Protector’s Office. The Pikitup Board has indeed complied with the remedial action cited in the Public Protector’s report issued on 31 October last year. This report confirmed the allegations of mismanagement, maladministration and abuse of power that took place in Pikitup in the past under the leadership of Amanda Nair.
More shockingly, progress reports were received and acknowledged by the Public Protector’s office on 2 January and 1 February respectively.
“I therefore urge Public Protector to undertake the necessary due diligence before making such comments to the public”, said De Jager. “These false comments, especially coming from the Office of the Public Protector, unacceptably negate the efforts of the Pikitup Board and its leadership, who have been working tirelessly to improve business performance, staff morale, governance, controls and the reputation of Pikitup.”
