The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng says it is preparing to challenge the decision by Gauteng’s COGTA MEC, Lebogang Maile to place the City of Tshwane under administration in terms of Section 139 (1) of the Constitution in the country’s courts.
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The party says the MEC made the announcement without notifying the Tshwane City Manager who is currently in charge of the metro.
Solly Msimanga, DA MPL and Gauteng Caucus Leader says Maile’s actions are both procedurally and constitutionally wrong.
There was no notice served detailing the reasons why Tshwane should be placed under administration
“There was no notice served detailing the reasons why Tshwane should be placed under administration. The City was not given time to respond as such a response was supposed to be tabled in Council.
MEC Maile made serious allegations without evidence such as the City not being able to deliver on its core mandate as well as with regards to the financial wellbeing of the city.”
the ANC is trying to use its political muscle to get hold of the City’s fiscus
He adds that the MEC’s conduct in his view indicates that the ANC is trying to use its political muscle to get hold of the City’s fiscus as we move towards the 2021 Local Government Elections and that Maile is desperate to try and prevent any form of opposition governance in this province.
Msimanga also accuses the MEC of jumping on Tshwane issues that the Council has powers to resolve instead of dealing with the ANC-led failing municipalities such as Rand West, Emfuleni and Merafong Local Municipalities.
“The DA is exploring legal actions on this matter and other mechanisms to ensure that Maile is held personally accountable for his outrageous abuse of power.”