DURBAN - COUNCILLORS in the eThekwini Municipality who are currently receiving protection will lose the security when their term of office expires and they are not re-elected in the November 1 local government elections.
This is contained in a report on the preparations for the elections. It details the changes expected in eThekwini after the elections.
The report stated that councillors will not lose their privileges immediately. These remain in place until the new councillors are sworn into their positions.
The report stated that councillors received protection services because of security threats.
“After the declaration of the formal results by the IEC, this service will cease for non-returning councillors,” said the document.
The issue of bodyguards for councillors is a sore spot with opposition parties having previously complained that bodyguards cost the municipality a lot of money.
This move could affect many councillors. Opposition party councillors have said previously that close to 60 councillors are getting protection.
The report also revealed that tools of trade such as data cards, sim cards and Vodacom data cards would be terminated immediately after the announcement of the election results.
“As part of the communication tools, council members were issued with laptops which are part of the municipal assets register. The non-returning councillors will be provided with an option to either return the laptops or to purchase them at their current market value.”
THE MERCURY