DA warns of ANC ‘cadre deployment plot' in Tshwane
DA Tshwane caucus leader Cilliers Brink has accused the ANC-led coalition of plotting to replace senior municipal managers in Tshwane with politically loyal cadres.
He believes that this move would reverse years of governance reform.
Brink warned that 'it was only a matter of time' before the ANC-led coalition attempted to remove professional, apolitical managers to 'have its way' with the metro's administration, as seen in Johannesburg.
'In order to have its way with Tshwane, as it has done in Joburg, the ANC and its coalition partners need the city's senior management staffed by people appointed for loyalty instead of merit,' said Brink.
He referenced a letter from Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, which is now publicly circulating, as the coalition's pretext for targeting current city officials.
According to the letter, a recent senior appointment by the Tshwane council may be invalid due to an 'erroneous' interview panel composition.
Specifically, that the panel had more than one councillor, which Mamabolo claims is irregular.
However, Brink has dismissed this argument as a 'complete change' in legal interpretation and 'probably legally erroneous'.
He noted that this same panel format has been used in other metros and that the MEC had already approved appointments such as that of City Manager Johann Mettler and seven others.
'The ANC now wants to use this as justification to clear out professionals and install pliant, deployed cadres,' he said.
Brink also referred to findings by the Zondo Commission, alleging a long-standing ANC practice of deploying cadres to control procurement and direct public funds toward party-linked interests.
'As has been the ANC's practice over many years and a pattern discerned by the Zondo Commission, the deployed cadres can then help funnel taxpayers' money to ANC politicians.'
He said the DA spent years fighting for a professional administration in Tshwane and would not allow political interference to reverse that progress.
'Even before the residents of Tshwane have had their say in a local government election, the ANC and their proxy parties want to reverse the progress,' he said.
'The damage and instability, which such a move will inflict, will prejudice the ability of future mayors to improve Tshwane's finances and governance.'
Brink said the DA is closely monitoring the mayor and her coalition's next steps.
Responding to the matter, Mayoral Office spokesperson Samkelo Mgobozi confirmed that Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya has officially responded to MEC Mamabolo's letter and is awaiting feedback.
'We are committed to dealing with this matter in a manner befitting its importance and do not want to pre-empt our discussions with the MEC,' said Mgobozi.
He assured that the mayor's office would brief the media 'at the appropriate time'.
ALSO READ: Budget shortfall, not deficit – Modise slams DA claims
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