​27-09-2012: Statement by the Speaker of Council on the outcomes of the investigation on the allegations that Clr Matshidiso Mfikoe breached the Councillors'

On the 15th February 2012 the Democratic Alliance requested that the Speaker of Council investigate an alleged breach off Code of Conduct for Councillor by

Cllr Matshidiso Mfikoe when she was the MMC of Environment and Corporate Services. Attached to the DA request was an unsigned letter which accused Cllr

Mfikoe of numerous contraventions. The Speaker referred the matter to the Ethics Committee.
 
In executing its investigation the Ethics Committee requested Advocate Jules Browde SC who is the In executing its investigation the Ethics Committee requested Advocate Jules Browde SC who is the Integrity Commissioner to assist in this matter. The

Integrity Commissioner is an independent office free of political influence and pressures and its independence is assured through Council Resolution.
 
In the course of his investigation he interviewed numerous officials from City Parks, members of the Democratic Alliance and MMC Mfikoe. Throughout his

investigation all officials expressed the highest regard for Cllr Mfikoe and no official alleged intimidation or coercion by the Councillor.
 
Furthermore the Commissioner consistently requested the DA to provide supporting information or provide names of individuals he could interview.
 
To date he has yet to receive substantive information from the DA.  The results of Adv Browde SC’s investigation were submitted to the Ethics Committee.
 
Adv Browde in his concluding remarks of the report on his investigation stated:
 
In my opinion there is no evidence of any misconduct on the part of MMC Mfikoe and I recommend that the complaint be dismissed.
 
At the sitting of Council today the Ethics Committee presented its report which stated that there is no substance to the claims brought by the DA. The

report also recommended that the allegations against Cllr Mfikoe they should be dismissed since they are unsubstantiated. These recommendations were

accepted by Council.
 
The tabling of the report and the adopted recommendations was opposed by the DA in Council today. We think it is most unfortunate that narrow interests of a

party political nature is being used to undermine legitimate structures of the City as well as sully the integrity and reputation of Adv Jules Brody SC. We

also find that making unfounded allegations about fellow Councillors deplorable and we appeal to all to desist from such behaviour.
 
The City of Johannesburg welcomes the decision by the Integrity Commissioner, the Ethics Committee and Council on the exoneration of Cllr Mfikoe of all

allegations.
 
Issued by:
Acting Speaker of Council Cllr Prema Naidoo