Note to Editors: Please find an English soundbite by Cllr Daniel Schay, attached here
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg, expresses grave concerns over the recent appointment of Themba Mathibe as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA).
This appointment, first announced through an ANC Youth League (ANCYL) tweet that was subsequently deleted, is a stark indicator of the cynical cadre deployment practices that continue under the ANC/EFF/PA coalition in Johannesburg.
This action not only disregards the transparent and merit-based selection processes mandated by Section 71B(1) of the Municipal Systems Amendment Act, effective since 22 August 2022, but also perpetuates the trend of politicising key municipal positions.
The removal of the previous CEO, which occurred with little explanation and without proper communication to the council or the Development Planning Section 79 Committee, coupled with the secretive nature of Mr. Mathibe’s appointment, underscores a disturbing pattern of governance that has spilled over into the egregious lack of service delivery the city currently experiences.
We have raised our concerns regarding Mr. Mathibe’s earlier appointments within the city, and reached out to the Public Protector on 19 September 2023 and again on 3 June 2024. The lack of response from this office further exacerbates the urgency for accountability and ethical governance, which appear to be increasingly sidelined by the current municipal leadership.
This appointment stands as yet another example of the ongoing cadre deployment that the DA has consistently opposed. It undermines the principles of fair and effective administration and casts a long shadow on the coalition’s commitment to the well-being of Johannesburg and its residents.
We demand full transparency in the appointment process of Mr. Mathibe and insist on clarity regarding the unexplained dismissal of the previous CEO. We will continue to challenge the ANC/EFF/PA coalition’s governance practices that threaten the integrity and functionality of our city’s administration.
We call on all Johannesburg residents to stand with us as we fight against these undemocratic practices, that consistently work against the very residents they are meant to serve.