The Johannesburg Multi-Party Government welcomes the judgement handed down by the Honourable Judge Gcina Malindi in the High Court, which is in line with the position that we have held.
Judge Malindi ruled that the notice, issued by the Chair of Chairs, Cllr Colleen Makhubele, for an Extra-Ordinary sitting of Council to sit on Tuesday, 13 September 2022 is “invalid, null and void”. Furthermore, that the meeting called for Tuesday has been interdicted from taking place.
The ruling went on further to state that contrary to what Cllr Makhubele and her allies believe, she is not the Acting Speaker and is “interdicted from holding herself out as, or as purporting, to be exercising any of the statutory functions of the Acting Speaker.”
The City and the Multi-Party Government have long contended that the Office of the Speaker remains vacant until such a time the City Manager convenes a sitting of Council to elect an Acting Speaker or Speaker from among the members of the House.
The actions of Cllr Makhubele and those who backed and bankrolled her illegal actions must be condemned in the harshest of terms. These actions have only sought to create confusion in the minds of residents and undermine the laws of the country and the Rules of Council, all in an effort to grab power at all costs.
It must be noted that a costs order was also handed down; and while the City cannot get back the time lost to fighting for residents and the rule of law, we can find solace in the fact that the monies spent fighting an attempted coup of corruption will be returned to the City’s coffers under the care of the Multi-Party Government and they will be directed towards their rightful function – the delivery of services.
Now that the court has pronounced on what was clear to many of us, we appeal to our political opponents to cease and desist from destructive and self-serving political games.
Now that this chapter is closed, we will await notice from the Acting City Manager, Mr Bryne Maduka, for a sitting of Council to duly elect a Speaker. Equally, in the interim, this will give the Acting Secretary to Council, Mr Madimetsa Molekwa, the space and time to run the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the City’s legislature.
While it is never desirable to ventilate these matters in court, we had no choice but to approach the courts to rule on this matter, as common sense and a commitment to democratic process did not prevail.
The Joburg Multi-Party Government will continue with the repair and rebuild of the City, and we call upon all Councillors, regardless of political affiliation, to join us as we build a City of Golden Opportunities for and with all 6-million residents.
People must always come before politics.
ENDS.
For media queries, please contact:
Mabine Seabe
Director: Mayoral Communication
Private Office of the Executive Mayor
084 677 7851
13/09/2022
