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The DA calls on Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya to instruct the City’s legal representatives to withdraw their opposition to our court application concerning Chief Financial Officer Gareth Mnisi and instead support our efforts to ensure that he faces an independent disciplinary enquiry into serious allegations of misconduct.

This is deeply embarrassing for Mayor Nasiphi Moya and her ActionSA-ANC government.

Yesterday, SARS officials arrived at Tshwane House with a search warrant, and Mnisi left the building accompanied by them.

The SARS raid raises fresh questions about why Moya has gone to such lengths to protect Mnisi from serious disciplinary consequences.

This is another stain on Nasiphi Moya's record.

Earlier this year, Moya’s ANC and EFF coalition partners voted to protect Mnisi against allegations of serious wrongdoing. ActionSA looked the other way.

The allegations against Mnisi, which include failing to disclose his own financial interests, were classified as “less serious” by Moya’s coalition, despite findings from a forensic investigation and evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission.

In July, the ANC and EFF supported a Council decision to treat these allegations as less serious misconduct. The Speaker then deducted 13 votes from the outcome, overturning a majority decision that the allegations should be treated as serious.

The DA approached the courts to overturn this decision and ensure that Mnisi faces an independent disciplinary enquiry, with dismissal as a possible outcome.

Moya had an opportunity to support the DA’s court application. Instead, she chose to fight us in court.

Rather than allow an independent enquiry into the allegations, her administration rushed through an informal disciplinary process that resulted in nothing more than a final written warning. Mnisi was allowed to return to his position as the City’s Chief Financial Officer.

The SARS raid has now exposed what a farce Moya’s handling of this matter has been.

While the SARS investigation must take its course, Moya must explain why the City continues to spend public money opposing a court application aimed at ensuring accountability for serious allegations of misconduct.

We call on Moya to withdraw the City’s opposition to the DA’s application, support the relief we are seeking, and allow an independent disciplinary process to determine whether Mnisi should be dismissed.

There is no legitimate reason for the City to continue fighting a court case intended to ensure that serious allegations against its CFO are properly investigated.

It is not only Mnisi who has benefited from Moya’s protection.

Her MMC for Finance, Eugene Modise, was found guilty of failing to disclose his interest in a company doing business with the City. Yet he remains in his position.

So, the political head of the City’s finances remains in office despite a finding of misconduct, while his counterpart in the administration is protected from an independent disciplinary process that could lead to his dismissal.

This is the price Tshwane residents are paying for Moya’s dependence on the ANC and EFF to remain in office.

A DA government will put an end to this.

On 4 November, the people of Tshwane have an opportunity to end the coalition chaos that has allowed this culture of impunity to flourish.

The era of impunity is ending in Tshwane, and an era of accountability will begin at the ballot box because real accountability means voting them out.

Only a DA government with a clear mandate can restore accountability and get Tshwane working again.

Issued by DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink