By Thapelo Molefe
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused the ANC and EFF in Tshwane’s governing coalition of trying to remove City Manager Johann Mettler in retaliation for revelations made before the Madlanga Commission.
Addressing the media on Thursday, DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink said efforts to suspend Mettler were politically motivated and aimed at removing a senior official who had resisted irregular procurement practices and pursued disciplinary action against officials implicated in corruption.
Brink’s comments came after a 45-page complaint by EFF Tshwane caucus leader and member of the mayoral committee Obakeng Ramabodu, which contains a series of misconduct allegations against Mettler and calls for his suspension.
According to the DA, Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya was expected to table a report before council on Thursday recommending that the allegations be investigated.
Brink said the dispute is closely linked to testimony given by Tshwane Metro Police Department deputy commissioner Revo Spies before the Madlanga Commission.
“Spies’ testimony at the Madlanga Commission has implicated several officials in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni in tender rigging and mismanagement. This provoked the ire of high-ranking politicians. By moving against Mettler those moving against him will eventually get to Spies,” Brink said.
The complaint against Mettler contains allegations relating to procurement processes, labour disputes, appointments of senior officials and governance failures. It also refers to findings by oversight institutions, including the Public Protector and the Auditor-General.
Among the issues raised are allegations relating to irregular expenditure, the implementation of lifestyle audits, disciplinary action against municipal employees and the handling of procurement matters within the city.
The complaint also accuses Mettler of suppressing a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report relating to the controversial Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works upgrade tender.
Brink rejected the allegation, saying the SIU report is with President Cyril Ramaphosa and is not under Mettler’s control.
The DA further alleged that Ramabodu has focused on securing the return to work of the so-called Rooiwal Five, officials implicated in the awarding of a tender linked to businessman Edwin Sodi and his associates.
“Ramobodu’s main preoccupation has been with facilitating the return to work of the so-called Rooiwal Five,” Brink said.
The party also rejected allegations relating to the appointment of Spies, saying he was appointed by Tshwane Metro Police Commissioner Yolande Faro and not by Mettler.
Brink further claimed that Mettler had refused to approve a recommendation by the city’s bid adjudication committee to award a 50-year lease agreement for the Tshwane Showgrounds to a joint venture that included a company called Smada.
Smada has been mentioned in court papers and testimony linked to the Madlanga Commission in relation to alleged procurement irregularities involving state contracts. No finding has been made against the company in relation to the Tshwane Showgrounds matter.
The DA alleges that suspending Mettler would allow for the appointment of an acting city manager who may be more willing to approve procurement decisions that had previously been flagged as irregular or blocked.
The party said it would report the matter to SAPS and other investigative bodies to determine whether improper pressure is being exerted on Mettler.
“Depending on the decision taken by the municipal council today, the DA will be consulting our attorneys to ensure that governance in Tshwane is not compromised,” Brink said.
INSIDE POLITICS
