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ActionSA will refer City of Johannesburg Speaker, Colleen Makhubele, to Council’s Ethics Committee for her failure to attend and preside over two council meetings when she chose to attend to her internal squabbles. 

Makhubele who was supposed to preside over the 12th Ordinary Council meeting of the City of Johannesburg this week but filed a leave of absence, citing ill-health as the reason for her absence.  

However, as council proceedings got underway on Wednesday, ActionSA was baffled to see her taking part in the Tshwane council meeting reportedly to address a disagreement within her own party Cope about a new councillor in the Capital. Makhubele relegated herself to an audience member in the Tshwane Council, whilst her own council was in progress. She blatantly and plainly in dereliction of her duties to the City of Johannesburg and as such has a case to answer for at the Ethics Committee.

Makhubele has always placed the interests of her political party above those of the residents of Johannesburg. Rule 147 of the Standing Rules ad Orders of Council state that “The council must conduct its business in a way that ensures that it is a free and independent institution, able to fulfil its role of representing the public”.

Whilst ActionSA respects Makhubele’s right place a leave of absence, this must be done in good faith. As the Speaker of Council, Makhubele has the responsibility to chair the proceedings of council. To see her leaving her responsibility to try influence proceedings of the Tshwane Council is both an insult to the people of Joburg, and an indication that she doesn’t take her responsibility seriously. 

Another issue we will be raising in the Ethics Committee is the allegation that she used VIP protection provided to her by the City of Johannesburg to conduct unofficial business outside of the boundaries of the municipality. 

As a party that cherishes ethical leadership, ActionSA cannot allow unethical behaviour to go unaddressed and therefore took the decision to refer this matter to Ethics Committee. No individual should be allowed to abuse the privileges given by a public office, and ActionSA will therefore ensure that officials are held accountable.

Issued by ActionSA Caucus Leader Funzi Ngobeni