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The DA expresses grave concern about the absence of political leadership in the City of Johannesburg, facing various crises. While infrastructure in the economic hub of the country is falling apart, an explosion rocks the CBD, and public transport turns into a public safety risk, the City of Johannesburg is “without” a mayor.

The City Manager has selectively been updating residents, and councillors regarding actions steps to be taken following the CBD explosion, and while extraordinary circumstances demand extraordinary measures, one of these measures surely cannot be the absence of the mayor.

The elected mayor, and his MMC’s are nowhere to be found amid the storm the city finds itself in. The City Manager’s strings are now being pulled by Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi. Who, despite what he may believe, is neither the mayor of the City of Johannesburg, nor is he the ultimate authority on what our residents need.

There are also allegations of selective service delivery to a politically connected few in the City. Access to basic service delivery cannot become a new form of cadre deployment.

The city manager, in his new role as acting mayor is ignoring calls for mini substation repairs in other areas of Johannesburg leaving residents without electricity. Should the City Manager and Premier Lesufi continue to fulfil the role of the mayor and his MMC’s, they should start by heading the calls of councillors who are desperately trying to service our residents.

During the past week, the DA has written to the Executive Mayor, requesting him to brief all councillors, regarding what happened in the CBD, we have yet to receive a response from him.

The City Manager is calling for a Local State of Disaster to be declared in the Johannesburg CBD. This, however, leaves the DA worried – if allegations of selective service delivery are true, and if absenteeism is now at the order of the day, then the City of Johannesburg cannot be trusted with the type of funds that come with a state of disaster.

The DA will lead an oversight visit to the site of the explosion, and write to Premier Lesufi regarding the alleged favours he has been doing for his politically connected friends, while keeping a very close eye on the planned State of Disaster.

Under the DA’s watch, the City of Johannesburg and its residents cannot and will not be captured by the ANC or its cadres.

Issued by Cllr Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku - Caucus Leader