MEC Maile has advised the City of Johannesburg Council Speaker Da Gama to convene a meeting with all whips of parties

3 December 2019

MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and CoGTA Lebogang Maile, has dispatched an urgent letter to City of Johannesburg’s Speaker Vasco Da Gama, to convene a meeting with all Whips of Parties ahead of the Council meeting scheduled for this week 4 - 5 December 2019.

MEC Maile does not only want to see a new Executive Mayor installed in office, but to see the City of Johannesburg, adequately respond to service delivery expectations of the residents of Johannesburg.

In the letter MEC Maile has highlighted the following serious concerns, “It is now common cause that you, as the Speaker, arbitrarily adjourned and postponed the council meeting of 28 November 2019, which was scheduled to amongst others, elect the new Executive Mayor. It has come to my notice that the City of Joburg Council meeting will be held on 4 - 5 December 2019, to elect the new Executive Mayor of the City”.

In addition, as stated in the letter, “It is imperative to underscore that to date the City is without an Executive Authority, in the form of the Executive Mayor. The implications of this anomaly are such that the Members of the Mayoral Committee appointed by erstwhile Executive Mayor seize to hold office and execute their powers and functions. Consequently, it means the Members of the Mayoral Committee are currently not entitled to the benefits and privileges associated with such office”.

Furthermore, in the letter MEC Maile has also cautioned the Speaker that privileges that continue to be enjoyed by Members of Mayoral Committee (MMCs) should be suspended with immediate effect.

“To this effect, should any of the former members of the mayoral committee still enjoy the said privileges and benefits, such as tools of trade, administrative support etc, should immediately seize, as same will be unlawful”.

MEC Maile remains concerned about the continued state of affairs in the City, after last week’s Council sitting failed to elect a new Executive Mayor.

“As the MEC responsible for Local Government in Gauteng Province, the current state of affairs is of grave concern to me, and no doubt to the residents of the City. The afore going is consistent with the letter I wrote to you on 29 November 2019”.

MEC Maile also accorded Speaker Da Gama some words of wisdom in the best interest of Johannesburg residents, “In order to obviate a reoccurrence of the last council meeting, you are kindly advised that, as the chairperson of the Council to have an audience with the whips of all parties represented and rules committee, prior to the actual council meeting. The purpose is to create convergence, and achieve consensus on the conduct of the forth coming council proceedings. In addition, I further advise that the Independent Electoral Commission be invited to the forthcoming Council meeting to observe and provide counsel when necessary”.  

MEC Maile’s letter to Speaker Da Gama was written within the spirit of cooperative governance as embedded in Chapter 3 of the Constitution, read together with section 154 of the Constitution.

Contact:

Castro Ngobese

Spokesperson: MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and CoGTA

Mobile: 0609977790

Email: castro.ngobese@gauteng.gov.za

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