By: Sello Theletsane
Newly-elected executive mayor of Central Karoo District Municipality and President of the Patriotic Alliance Gayton McKenzie has set tongues wagging after he pledged not draw a salary from the municipality.
In his acceptance speech shortly after being elected unopposed to the position, McKenzie told a fully-packed council hall in Beaufort West in the Western Cape where his party is in coaliation with the ANC, Karoo Democratic Force and Karoo Gemeenskap Party that he would not be taking any perks that come with the position, including council vehicle and bodyguards.
McKenzie said his salary would rather be used to rehabilitate the community swimming pools.
A day after taking his post McKenzie tweeted: “I will donate 100% of my salary, I don’t want Mayorol cars, it should be sold and ambulances bought, I came with my own bodyguards paid by me, the police should go do police work. I will never claim a cent in petrol or flights. The taxpayer looked after me in jail, I am free now.”
In his acceptance speech McKenzie also promised to eradicate the bucket system would be eradicated and replaced with flushing toilets.
He also pledged to initiate and kick off the project of the local cemetery clean-up in the next seven days.
McKenzie pledged to do everything in his power to write off municipal debts of poor households who can’t afford to pay their municipal debt.
However, he warned defaulting businesses who owe the municipality millions that their services would be cut off.
He added that an external company would be hired to recover the debts of business and farm owners within the district.
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I have misgivings of democracy the political arm of global finance, However, since the Mayor using his salary to offset debt and refuse privileges such as cars etc he is setting serious standard for the selfish politicians