Politicking on Standard Legal Practice in Tshwane

The efforts by the opposition DA in Tshwane to sensationalise standard governance reports dealing with allegations levelled against Municipal Manager, Johann Mettler, should be called out for what it is – politricking. 

Allegations have been levelled by a political party against the municipal manager which automatically triggers a process outlined in Regulation 5(2) of the Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers that prescribes that:

“An allegation referred to in subregulation (1) must be tabled by the mayor or municipal manager, as the case may be, before the municipal council not later than seven days after receipt thereof.”

It therefore follows that the tabling of these allegations and the initiation of an investigation into the matter is not only prescribed in law, but is basic good governance to ensure that the most senior official in a municipality is beyond reproach. The DA is, presumably, aware of this having dealt with similar maters during the 8 years in which they governed the city, only exposing how the efforts to sensationalise the matter is opportunistic.

It needs to be pointed out that ActionSA did not file these allegations against the municipal manager, it was the EFF that did so. As much as political parties work in coalition, so to they must be engaged on their individual actions and accountable to their constituents for their actions. ActionSA will apply its own mind to the decision-making process.

ActionSA has communicated, both to the public and to our coalition partners, that we will address each decision-making milestone in this process based only on the merits of the matter, sound legal judgement and principles of good governance.

No amount of theatrics from the opposition will see ActionSA looking the other way should investigations warrant consequence management and no pressure from our coalition partners will see ActionSA choosing political expedience over good government. ActionSA will not dance to the tune of a failed opposition and nor will we govern at all cost.

Having an ActionSA Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, who has led the turnaround in the City of Tshwane places a high responsibility on our party. This turnaround has not been a coincidence but, rather, a consequence of good decision making that has stabilised Tshwane’s finances, extended its service delivery to all and started improving the record of adverse audit findings.

Governing a capital city is complicated and Cilliers Brink and the DA have proven simple. This is why their official record of government in Tshwane reflects bankruptcy, broken services and adverse audits. The fact that Mayor Moya has led government in the city with an appreciation for its complexity I why the city has begun to turnaround to the benefit of its residents.

Part of this turnaround is ensuring that any and all complaints are investigated, according to the legally prescribed processes, without fear or favour, to either act where required or clear a person’s name to perform their role beyond reproach.

The reality is that every day that the turnaround of Tshwane continues, Brink and the DA’s failures are being exposed. This has clearly resulted in insecurities that are on full display as they point to manifestations of their 8-year failed legacy from the opposition benches or try to sensationalise standard governance practices.

ActionSA Core Philosophy: Centrist, pro-capitalist, and “South Africa First.”