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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has been advised that all hospitality and catering services to the City have been suspended by Joburg Theatre due to non-payment by the Speaker’s office. Over July and August 2023 alone the Speaker’s office racked up a whopping R2,9 million in unpaid catering and hospitality services.

The City’s liquidity crisis and the total lack of ability by the ANC/ EFF/ PA Doomsday Coalition to run the City of Joburg and its finances is becoming more apparent by the day. Last week the Caucus Leader, Councillor Belinda Kayser Echeozonjoku, reported on the City’s continued slide into bankruptcy.

This follows refusal by the Speaker’s office to advise Political parties on the rescheduling of Section79 oversight committee strategic sessions which were cancelled in September 2023 due to a botched procurement process.When a formal request was sent for urgent consultation on the rescheduling of these critical meetings, the DA was advised to consult with the Chair of Chairs as they did not have this information. These committees are where Councillors hold the Executive to account on service delivery to residents.

It begs the question as to whether the scheduled September 2023 Council meeting was cancelled, not due to the issues at Metro centre or inability to find an affordable venue, but because the Legislature has lost complete control of its own procurement processes and is spending way beyond its means.

The DA suspects that the Speaker’s continuous allocation of funds to unnecessary “outreach” programmes outside her purview while far exceeding the allotted number of events she should be hosting annually, is a major contributor to the R2.9 million bill.

Councillors are also still waiting on responses to numerous questions posed to the Executive since November 2022. The Speaker’s office responses are not only lacklustre, but also give no clear direction as to when these responses will be issued.

On multiple occasions I have asked for intervention by the Chief Whip of Council, Councillor Zungu of the ANC, as well as the MEC of COGTA at Provincial level. The stifling of political parties right to do proper oversight is a contravention of our Constitution and the rights of our citizens.

We cannot sit back while governance and oversight take a back seat for nepotism and corruption, this is why the DA has asked for the tabling of motion for the dissolution of Council. The citizens of Johannesburg deserve a chance to rescue their City.

Issued by Cllr Leah Knott - DA Johannesburg Chief Whip