The City of Tshwane has once again found itself at the centre of a political storm as the DA and ANC quarrel over municipal stability.
The DA is accusing the ANC and its coalition partners of deliberately trying to create conditions for placing the city under administration, jeopardising service delivery and disrupting residents’ lives.
The turmoil comes in the wake of a six-week-long illegal strike by members of the South African Municipal Workers Union, which left the city’s services in disarray.
Garbage collection has ground to a halt, and municipal bus operations have been marred by violence and arson attacks.
The situation prompted the provincial government to reportedly consider placing Tshwane under administration once again.
Notably, the city was previously placed under administration by Lebogang Maile, a member of the ANC, in March 2020, citing dysfunctionality.
However, the Constitutional Court ruled later in the year that the decision was unconstitutional and unlawful.
On Monday, the DA outlined its intention to oppose any attempt to place the city under administration, arguing that the ANC, its labour unions and coalition partners are working to undermine the stability of the municipality.
Kwena Moloto, spokesperson for DA Tshwane caucus, stated: “Tshwane is for the first time in years under the governance of a stable coalition government that is diligently working to rectify the city’s financial situation after years of mismanagement.”
Moloto emphasized that the DA-led coalition government is capable of addressing the city’s challenges and implementing good governance.
“The reality is that implementing good governance in Tshwane has not only eradicated widespread corruption, but has also made it impossible for corrupt practices to persist.
“An efficient government, especially in the capital of South Africa, underscores what many have known for some time – the ANC is not fit to govern.”
The DA is calling on the provincial government to fulfill its constitutional duty and support the municipality instead of engaging in political manoeuvres that hinder service delivery.
Moloto invited the provincial government to attend council meetings to better understand the issues at hand and identify individuals obstructing the city’s prosperity.
“Should the provincial government really be concerned about the welfare of Tshwane’s residents, we invite them to attend council meetings and see which individuals are standing in the way of the city’s prosperity.
“They will find, as we have, an incompetent speaker who continuously puts his own political interests above his constitutional duty,” he said.
The ANC was not available to comment at the time of publishing.
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