By: Natasha Archary
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg says it will not be intimidated by idle threats from the “Doomsday Coalition“.
This after the party received letters of demand from City Manager, Floyd Brink, and MMC of Group Corporate and Shared Services, Councillor Loyiso Masuku.
These letters were served upon the party and councillors following a news article with regards to the City of Johannesburg’s (COJ) exorbitant R2.6 million alleged spending for a year end function.
“It is our duty as councillors to provide oversight over the Executive and it is in the public interest that residents know what happens to public money within the COJ.
It is therefore clear that this is nothing more than a cheap intimidation tactic to silence councillors. We are, however, not that easily silenced, nor will we ever be.
The constitution bestows privileges and immunities to members of municipal council as noted in the Rule 148 of the standing rules and orders of Council, to protect against exactly these types of tactics.
If councillors are in the wrong, or acting in an unethical manner, they should be referred to the Section 79 Committee on Ethics.Furthermore, it is important to note that in terms of the Municipal Structures Act, only the Speaker has the power to refer councillors to Section 79 Committee on Ethics for investigation.
Which is the appropriate way for these matters to be handled. According to law, neither the City Manager, nor the powers of the Group Forensics and Investigation Services he usurped earlier this year, can.This is a blatant abuse of power and residents’ money to intimidate councillors into silence.
We will ensure that it is impossible to avoid the obviously necessary scrutiny they are fighting against. This point has been laboured, and debated, but the truth of the matter is, these inefficiencies and irregularities, is exactly why we called for the Dissolution of Council.”
The DA has written to the Minister of Finance and National Treasury, to investigate the irregular expenditure as it pertains to the proposed year end function.
Additionally, the party will write to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) to ensure that Brink and company are held to account for their intimidation tactics.
The DA in Johannesburg has made it clear that it will not be silenced or intimidated by the ANC/EFF/PA “Doomsday Coalition.”
📌 The DA in Johannesburg will not be intimidated by idle threats from the Doomsday Coalition Audio Link: https://t.co/Enfr9HPn2X #RescueJoburg pic.twitter.com/2YUeoqhH1R
— DA Joburg Caucus (@DA_JHB) December 6, 2023
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