In the electioneering earlier this year, Jacob Zuma warned all government officials across the board that if he were elected Pres of SA, he would not tolerate lazy officials who did not take their jobs seriously. This week, Zuma made an unanncouced visit to a town called Balfour in the Mpumalanga Province. Here's the report from the Times....... Love the comment about the PA dropping her plate... :ya2:
President’s surprise visit catches mayor at home during working hours
RESIDENTS of Balfour’s Siyathemba township — the scene of recent violent service-delivery protests — were stunned yesterday when President Jacob Zuma dropped in on them unannounced.
•Zuma visits Balfour
In a marked departure from former president Thabo Mbeki’s aloof style of leadership, Zuma made a surprise visit to the small Mpumalanga town and spoke to residents about their problems — he also summoned the local mayor for a chat.
The president said his visit to Balfour was the first of many unannounced stops he’ll be making across the country in the coming months.
“ There is no place that will be hidden from me. Ministers, councillors and premiers must be prepared to see me unannounced,†Zuma warned.
He said he would not rely exclusively on reports from his officials but wanted to get feedback direct from ordinary citizens.
“No report will stand between me and the people. I will continue to make these visits unannounced,†Zuma said.
Balfour mayor Lefty Tsotetsi — who has been the target of residents’ ire — had to be called back to work when the president arrived at his office at 3.30pm.
The mayor had already knocked off so Zuma had to wait as officials went looking for Tsotetsi.
The mayor’s secretary, Dollen Pretorius, was so shocked to see the president walk into her office that she dropped her plate of food on the floor.
A flustered Tsotetsi arrived about five minutes later and had a private meeting with the president.
President’s surprise visit catches mayor at home during working hours
RESIDENTS of Balfour’s Siyathemba township — the scene of recent violent service-delivery protests — were stunned yesterday when President Jacob Zuma dropped in on them unannounced.
•Zuma visits Balfour
In a marked departure from former president Thabo Mbeki’s aloof style of leadership, Zuma made a surprise visit to the small Mpumalanga town and spoke to residents about their problems — he also summoned the local mayor for a chat.
The president said his visit to Balfour was the first of many unannounced stops he’ll be making across the country in the coming months.
“ There is no place that will be hidden from me. Ministers, councillors and premiers must be prepared to see me unannounced,†Zuma warned.
He said he would not rely exclusively on reports from his officials but wanted to get feedback direct from ordinary citizens.
“No report will stand between me and the people. I will continue to make these visits unannounced,†Zuma said.
Balfour mayor Lefty Tsotetsi — who has been the target of residents’ ire — had to be called back to work when the president arrived at his office at 3.30pm.
The mayor had already knocked off so Zuma had to wait as officials went looking for Tsotetsi.
The mayor’s secretary, Dollen Pretorius, was so shocked to see the president walk into her office that she dropped her plate of food on the floor.
A flustered Tsotetsi arrived about five minutes later and had a private meeting with the president.
