Africa-Press – South-Africa. Instead of being in council to see new City of Johannesburg MMCs being sworn in on Monday, members of the DA coalition who were ousted with former mayor Mpho Phalatse held their own press briefing.
The former MMCs each gave a brief overview of the state in which they had left the City, saying this was so residents could have a record of what they believe will be a decline in services with the new ANC-led mayoral committee.
Former Environment, Infrastructure and Services MMC Michael Sun spoke about various issues involving the portfolio, concluding with water infrastructure.
“In this space, I came across pipes that were over 100 years old. Just illustrating the level of neglect, we had begun the work of signing off on new bulk infrastructure, having unveiled the 15-megalitre concrete reservoir in Lenasia.”
He said his office was working with Joburg Water to finalise the work required.
He said the multiparty government had allocated R1.2 billion in capital expenditure and R1.6 billion in operational expenditure to support the repair and rebuilding of infrastructure.
“One can only imagine where this money will now be channelled towards. And the thought that this multiparty government could succeed and deliver a better life to Joburgers probably scared the ANC. They have only succeeded in stripping the city bare. Forcing them to rush through an illegal change of government that we will now overturn.”
The DA believes that the vote of no confidence in former executive mayor Phalatse was done illegally and is challenging the decision and its consequences in court. The case is set for the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on 18 October.
Phalatse said the party’s objections to the new government had nothing to do with getting back into the leadership position, but was “about the rule of law”.
“Whether we go back into government is one issue, but our removal from government and the preceding events were illegal. Therefore, as legislators who swore to ‘obey, respect and uphold the Constitution and all other laws of the Republic of South Africa’, it would be wrong of us to simply ‘let this go’ on that basis alone.”
Meanwhile, after being sworn in as the new infrastructure MMC on Monday morning, Mpho Sesedinyane said he would tackle the water challenges in the city by sitting down with Johannesburg Water to understand the issues.
“We need to meet [with Johannesburg Water] so we can see what immediate solutions we can make and what we can do in the longer term.
“Residents need to give me a little bit of time so I can ultimately come up with a solution.”
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
