The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Geoffrey Makhubo, yesterday, 26 October 2020, received a formal letter from the MEC of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in Gauteng, Hon. Lebogang Maile, raising concerns on allegations he received on legislative and governance failures in the City of Johannesburg.

“We acknowledge the MEC’s enquiry on the allegations made by the leader of the Democratic Alliance in Council, Cllr Leah Knott and we will, within the timeframes stipulated, provide the MEC with a detailed response to the issues raised,” Mayor Makhubo said.

In the official communication, MEC Maile seeks a response to the allegations that the City of Johannesburg has failed to observe its legislative and executive responsibilities in respect of the following matters:

▪ Failure to pass a budget;

▪ Failure to compile a budget that makes provision for COVID-19 related deviations;

▪ Irregular appointment of Senior Managers;

▪ Intentional withholding of information on COVID related expenditure;

▪ COVID related procurement corruption;

▪ Failure to convene Council meetings and subsequent collapse thereof;

▪ The Speaker of Council denying councillors freedom of speech in council meeting; and

▪ The Speaker of Council allowing votes in Council meetings that did not quorate.

“The allegations leveled against the City are another attempt by the DA to subvert the democratic and legislated processes of the City and to undermine standing rules of Council as a means to gain political attention and mileage.”

The DA together with their allies have at every opportunity deliberately sabotaged Council Meetings and demonstrably resisted to comply with the rules and procedures of Council.

The DA has vacillated on every critical decision in Council in order to manage its deeply fractured caucus which is laden with mistrust and insecurities based on the on-going defections by its councilors from the party.

“As the Government of Local Unity (GLU) we have displayed transparency in the management of the affairs of the City and will continue to do so within the structures, rules and norms of Council. Even in this instance, we will clear the smoke screens and expose the true and real threats to progress within the City as represented by the DA” said Mayor Makhubo.

The City wishes to assure residents that no effort is being spared to ensure that services are rendered consistently and efficiently as per the norm and that the priorities of the City to alleviate the livin

Issued by The City of Johannesburg