It is said in politics “you’re on
your own, especially if you’re a black-man”
So true that Mashaba’s tenure as the City of Johannesburg Mayor ends today (Wednesday 27 November) after a fallout with his lieutenants at the Democratic Alliance, after three-years at helm.
His job included fighting corruption within the billion-rand run City, restoration of white-elephant buildings of which some were ‘hijacked’, cleanness of the City, crime prevention and other programs he ran.
On Monday, he bid farewell to incoming 1000 new Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, whose work will be to intensify the fight against crime, lawlessness in the CBD and other adjacent areas.
This was the single largest recruitment of metro officers in the country, initiated by Mashaba former businessman.
Mashaba said the new officers were expected to bolster the capacity to better respond to crime.
“The world’s greatest nations and cities are distinguishable by their ability to keep their people safe in the best of times and especially in the worst of times,” Mashaba said.
Asked what he will miss most, Mashaba said ‘fighting crime and projects seeing the light at the end of the day, are some of the things I shall miss’.
The outspoken former Mayor pointed out he will take a ‘well deserved break before venturing into anything else’, though talks are he and former DA leader Mmusi Maimane would form a party.
Your work has been evident Mr Mashaba, ‘but as politics run our lives- you shall remain on your own black man’.
Image (Outgoing CoJ Mayor Herman Mashaba delivering his last address to new JMPD recruits on Monday).
