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The DA in Tshwane today submitted a motion of no confidence against the Speaker of the Tshwane Council, Mncedi Ndzwanana.

A recent High Court judgment confirmed that the Speaker acted unlawfully when he arbitrarily deducted 13 votes from the Council’s recorded vote. This effectively rigged the outcome and enabled the unlawful suspension of City Manager Johann Mettler. It formed part of an attempt by the ANC-EFF-ActionSA coalition to seize control of the City’s administration and finances.

We took that decision to court and won. We protected Tshwane’s administration, its finances and, ultimately, its residents from an unlawful attempt to capture the City.

However, the Speaker responsible for this unlawful conduct remains in office. His actions have already cost Tshwane’s ratepayers unnecessary legal fees. They have also demonstrated his willingness to abuse the Office of the Speaker in the interests of the ANC-EFF-ActionSA coalition.

Tshwane cannot afford to leave him in a position where he can do so again.

With just three months remaining before residents elect a new government, the coalition of corruption still has time to use a lawless Speaker to manipulate Council proceedings. It could force through decisions that bind the next administration, weaken the City’s institutions and place further strain on Tshwane’s finances.

The coalition must not be allowed to use the Office of the Speaker to mortgage Tshwane’s future during its final months in office.

This motion of no confidence is not about politics. It is about accountability. It is about protecting the public purse, defending the integrity of Council and ensuring that the Office of the Speaker cannot be abused to advance corrupt interests.

Residents deserve the opportunity to elect a new government in November without inheriting the consequences of unlawful decisions taken by a coalition determined to loot until its very last day.

Issued by DA Tshwane Mayoral Candidate Ald Cilliers Brink