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The DA in West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) shares the frustrations of residents that almost a month has passed since the removal of the DA-led government, yet no mayoral committee, as required by law, has been appointed by the ANC-EFF puppet mayor.

On 4 April, as part of the campaign of destabilisation of local governments in Gauteng, initiated and spearheaded by Panyaza Lesufi, the DA-led government of WRDM was toppled by the ANC-EFF doomsday coalition. As per their usual modus operandi, displayed in Johannesburg and attempted in Tshwane, a puppet mayor from a minor minion party was then elected to lead the ANC-EFF sham government.

However, whether the administration of Cllr Thabiso Bovungana can realistically be considered a government, sham or not, is in question: after almost a month in office, the Mayor is yet to announce a mayoral committee. This is a violation of section 60 of the Municipal Structures Act that requires the appointment of a mayoral committee where a municipal council has more than nine members.

This failure to put in place even the most basic components of stable, reliable government illustrates starkly the reckless commitment of the ANC-EFF coalition to put disruption above delivery. This also makes clear the prudence of the DA’s approach to collaborative government: first put in place a negotiated coalition agreement before fumbling into office to the detriment of residents.

The DA in WRMD calls on the Mayor to do his job. If Cllr Bovungana is incapable of carrying out his responsibility, the DA calls on Gauteng Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Mzi Khumalo to put the political agenda of the ANC-EFF cabal to one side and, for once, serve the residents of WRDM. The DA will be writing to the MEC to demand better for our constituents who have a right to have a reliable and stable government that works for them.

Issued by Cllr Hullet Hild - DA WRDM Caucus Leader