Tshwane council wars: DA to take legal action against ANC, EFF

The Democratic Alliance (DA), in Tshwane, has resolved to take legal action against the African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), for allegedly using illegal methods to hijack the metro.

Tshwane council wars: DA accuses ANC, EFF of forgery

In a statement, the DA’s deputy Chief Whip, Mpho Mehlape-Zimu, revealed that the party intends to approach the courts “following a move by the ANC to issue a notice to convene a special council meeting on Wednesday, 8 January 2020”.

On Wednesday, council Speaker, Katlego Mathebe threw out a petition submitted by the opposition parties, claiming that it contained forged signatures that did not match those signed on the dotted lines of the council’s official register.

Mathebe exercised her powers to initiate an investigation to ascertain whether the ANC and EFF broke the councillor’s code of conduct by allegedly submitting a fraudulent petition.

“The DA has it on good authority that once the ANC realised their alleged forgery was discovered, they submitted a new petition to the Office of the Speaker as well as the Acting City Manager at 13:49 yesterday to convene a meeting at 17:00.

“The rules and orders of Council clearly state that a meeting should be called within reasonable time, and this has not been afforded. The Speaker has therefore not granted permission for such meeting to be held,” Mehlape-Zimu explained.

“The ANC abused the prescripts of the law” – Mehlape-Zimu

The ANC has remained adament on the claim that the DA, in Tshwane, is using delay tactics to avoid the inevitable — the ousting of Tshwane Executive Mayor, Stevens Mokgalapa; Speaker, Katlego Mathebe; Acting Speaker, Zweli Khumalo; and Chair of Chairs, Gert Pretorius.

“The office of the acting city manager and the Cogta MEC’s representative are on stand by to proceed with the meeting as outlined in section 36 (3) of the Municipal Structures Act. In the absence of the speaker of council, the city manager must preslde over the council meeting,” ANC regional chair, Kgosi Maepa said, during Wednesday’s press briefing.

The ruling party in Tshwane has refuted these claims, stating that the ANC and EFF are leading a coup d’etat and “a direct attack on the democracy of our country and an attack against the residents of Tshwane”.

“The DA has instructed its lawyers to write to the Acting City Manager to inform him of this unlawful conduct and its aim to take legal action in this regard.

“Furthermore, the DA will continue to call on the Speaker to finalise the forensic investigation as a matter of urgency in order for action to be taken against those that have breached the code of conduct for councillors,” Mehlape-Zimu said.