Sizani set to move into mayoral house after refurbishments

After the resignation of former Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) executive mayor Wongama Gela on September 8, newly elected executive mayor, Lusanda Sizani, is set to occupy the mayoral house.

This was discussed at an ordinary council meeting last week.

Presenting the item, council speaker Jongumzi Cengani said a mayoral house was provided as council deemed fit, in line with resources, to accommodate the executive mayor and his family.

“The place is also used for all the activities of the office of the executive mayor,” said Cengani.

He said a smooth transition was expected in moving Sizani and his family into the state house, in accordance with the mayoral handbook.

The council speaker said: “The Chris Hani District Municipality has since delegated the office of the municipal manager Gcobani Mashiyi, the office of the director of corporate services, the office of budget and treasury, with the asset movement unit, to also form part of the team to lead the transition.”

He said an assessment of the house was conducted to check if any maintenance issues needed to be attended to before the newly elected mayor moved in.

“Upon assessment of the house, as per asset management prescripts, there are a number of assets and items that need to be replaced, refurbished and may be listed for disposal,” said Cengani.

He said the state house was in a good condition overall, with some repairs having been done.

“Repairs that were done are: repainting of the main bedroom, replacement of two toilet seats, removal of floor rugs or carpets to be replaced with laminated tiles as these were described to be in a health hazard condition, and other assets that include the main bedroom suite that depreciated when used by various occupants.” The speaker added that several repairs still needed to be done, which included: “Changing of the intercom and remote control system of the garage door, painting of the garage interior, refurbishment of the swimming pool and installation of a safety net for children’s safety, replenishment of various consumables such as kitchen equipment and utensils, and the external repainting of the entire house and yard.”

Cengani said the costs to refurbish the house were projected at about R300,000.

The speaker presented only one recommendation to be noted and accepted by the council.

EFF councillor Xhanti Kani said: “I would like to say we approve this but in the next term we need to be vigilant about this to prevent another allocation of funds to renovate the state house for the next mayor.

“This is a lot of money and that may lead to people then fighting for the position.”