The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) cannot support the Ekurhuleni Metro’s plan to write off and sell municipal inventory deemed “surplus” and “obsolete,” valued at R8,7 million, through a public auction.
This inventory includes, among other things, streetlight fittings, lamps, drainage systems, fire extinguishers, refuse bags, circuit breakers, power cables, fluorescent lights, paint, vehicle parts and tires.
A thorough analysis of the annexures clearly shows that many of the items earmarked for disposal are not obsolete but are, in fact, critical to the Metro’s daily service delivery.
These are not luxury items nor old junk. It is essential equipment needed to keep basic services up and running. The Metro intends to sell this inventory as “surplus” even though residents have no power and refuse is piling up in the streets.
What makes the matter even more suspicious is that there is no photographic, technical or official evidence proving that these items are indeed unusable.
The Council was requested to approve the disposal in good faith, without any factual evidence.
The Freedom Front Plus cannot help but wonder whether this is truly about surplus inventory or possibly another desperate attempt to raise funds to plug the gaps of the Metro’s poorly planned and insufficient budget.
The party will not support disposing of inventory which may still be usable, especially when departments are plagued by shortages and workers lack the equipment needed to perform their duties.
The party, furthermore, demands a comprehensive, transparent audit of all items earmarked for disposal, including photographs, utility reports and confirmation from the relevant departments.
The Freedom Front Plus will continue to fight for honest, transparent governance, not quick sales disguised as efficiency.
