‘Brink must step aside’

JOBURG DA: POINTS FINGERS AT COALITION OF ANC, EFF, PA AND AL JAMA-AH

Party takes council to court – again – over the appointment of municipal manager.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg wants city manager Floyd Brink to step aside while the High Court in Johannesburg hears arguments into his appointment.

DA Joburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the party had taken the City of Joburg to court over Brink’s “illegal” appointment.

The matter was heard yesterday. “While the matter is being heard, the DA would like Mr Brink to step down because he could temper with evidence and witnesses,” she said.

“We do not know why an acting city manager was not appointed while this matter is dealt with.”

Kayser-Echeozonjoku said she was shocked the government of local unity – led by the Al Jama-ah mayor Kabelo Gwamanda – had ignored a court order that declared Brink’s appointment illegal.

The DA is challenging the city for the second time in a legal matter over the appointment of the city manager.

“It is completely unacceptable that this contempt of court happens in a metro as prominent as the City of Joburg.

“These are the people in charge of the economic heart of South Africa. Yet, they took it upon themselves to reappoint him, despite the high court ruling in November 2023 that the original appointment was in fact unlawful, unconstitutional and set aside,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said.

She said instead of complying with the court order, and advertising the position for a fair and transparent process, the ANC-Economic Freedom Fighters-Patriotic Alliance-Al Jama-ah coalition decided to simply appoint Brink again.

“They would rather spend your rates on defending one individual at the expense of service delivery,” she said.

Kayser-Echeozonjoku added that services were collapsing but the city seem more concerned about ensuring Brink had a job.

“Service delivery is collapsing; just yesterday we were yet again inundated with calls that service providers have not been paid.

“We will never stand by and watch residents of Joburg being disrespected in this manner,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said.

She said it was not clear when the judgment on the matter would be, but that the DA would be keeping a close eye on the matter.

“Despite attacks against the independence of the judiciary by the city, we look forward to a ruling in this regard,” she said.

Attempts by The Citizen to get comment from the City of Joburg were unsuccessful at the time of going to press.

– itumelengm@citizen.co.za