Three ActionSA committee chairpersons in the City of Johannesburg are facing motions of no confidence due to be debated on Wednesday.
The motions target Environment and Infrastructure Service Department (EISD) committee chairperson Vhengani Munyai, finance committee chairperson Mpumi Edward, and Sarah Wissler of Public Safety.
The motions claim that Munyai has not shown the leadership needed to ensure proper oversight. He has also failed to deal with the decline in service delivery in Johannesburg, according to the motion. This includes repeated water shortages and the lack of regular reports with solutions from the responsible MMC.
Series of accusations
Edward is accused of failing to ensure that the finance committee held the executive to account. Particularly for the late submission of reports and the performance of the finance department.
The motion also states that Edward did not create a conducive environment for the committee to improve its oversight responsibilities.
Wissler was accused of not showing leadership skills needed for the smooth running of the Public Safety committee.
Elmari Atterbury, ActionSA Johannesburg chief whip, described the move as politically motivated.
“These motions are not born out of principle or evidence of failure. [They are born] out of pure political manoeuvring designed to derail accountability and ethical leadership in the city,” said Atterbury.
She defended the three chairpersons. Munyai had overseen the restoration of water in Westbury and pushed for urgent oversight of reservoirs, she said. She said Edward established a billing desk that resolved over 2, 000 queries. And she also accused Edward of introducing live-streaming of meetings.
ActionSA calls this political smear
She said Wissler has cracked down on illegal businesses and improved the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) satellite offices.
“This record of delivery stands in stark contrast to the appointment of individuals such as Masuku and Zungu, whose reputations are mired in political baggage and whose elevation reflects cadre deployment at its worst. These motions are not about service to residents. They are about replacing integrity with patronage and accountability with expediency.
“The simultaneous witch hunt against the Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) further reveals the underlying agenda,” said Atterbury.
Atterbury said the motions formed part of what she believes to be a broader campaign to undermine ethical leaders and shield corrupt networks from accountability.
