The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg expressed concerns over the recent appointment of Themba Mathibe as Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) CEO, and is demanding full transparency in his appointment process.

The party also insists on clarity regarding the “unexplained” dismissal of the previous CEO.

The JDA appointed Mathibe as its CEO from June 1 and he will continue in the role until May 29, 2029.

DA Shadow Development Planning MMC Daniel Schay said Mathibe’s appointment was first announced through an African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) social media account and was subsequently deleted.

He described it as “a stark indicator of the cynical cadre deployment practices”, which he said continued under the ANC/Economic Freedom Fighters/Patriotic Alliance coalition in Johannesburg.

Schay noted that this action not only disregarded the “transparent and merit-based” selection processes mandated by Section 71B(1) of the Municipal Systems Amendment Act, effective since August 22, 2022, but that it also perpetuated the trend of politicising key municipal positions.

He highlighted that Mathibe’s appointment was “another example” of the ongoing cadre deployment that the DA has consistently opposed.

“It undermines the principles of fair and effective administration and casts a long shadow on the coalition’s commitment to the wellbeing of Johannesburg and its residents,” he explained.

He noted that the removal of the previous CEO, which he said occurred with little explanation and without proper communication to the council or the Development Planning Section 79 Committee, coupled with the secretive nature of Mathibe’s appointment, underscored a “disturbing pattern” of governance that he said has spilled over into the “egregious lack of service delivery” the city currently experienced.

The DA said it had raised its concerns regarding Mathibe’s earlier appointments within the city, and reached out to the Public Protector on September 19, 2023 and again on June 3, 2024.

“The lack of response from this office further exacerbates the urgency for accountability and ethical governance, which appear to be increasingly side-lined by the current municipal leadership,” explained Schay.