Note to editors: Please find attached an Engilsh soundbite by Cllr Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku here. Also, see attached the letter to the Minister of COGTA here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg, alongside the rest of the City, is shocked to see Helen Botes conducting television interviews as Acting Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the City of Johannesburg, without Council’s approval of her appointment.
Her appointment to this position, without Council’s approval, is in contravention of the Municipal System’s Act.
Today, the DA has written to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to demand his intervention in the continued violation of specifically, Section 56 of the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 as it relates to the appointment of an acting COO without council approval.
Despite queries to the MMC of Group Corporate and Shared Services, Cllr Loyiso Masuku, the Executive Mayor Dada Morero and the Group Head of Group Governance, the DA has been met with silence.
The DA notes, and reminds the executive that in the February 2025 Council meeting, Cllr Masuku made a commitment that arrangements for Ms. Botes’ appointment would be brought to council. The executive is also further reminded that according to the Municipal Systems Amendment Act 32 of 2000, only council can approve Section 56 managers in consultation with the City Manager.
That never happened. Subsequently, her appointment is illegal.
We have also been reliably informed that Ms. Botes’ contract was extended irregularly by the board of JPC, while she worked there as CEO.
The DA understands that a flurry of activity is currently underway to get a legal opinion to justify the irregular extension of her contract which would ultimately pave way for her to continue to act irregularly as COO.
The City continues to trample on its own residents with irregular appointments that eventually can, and will in all likelihood, be legally challenged.
Despite our best efforts to get answers over months from the City, in council and also requests to comply with the rule of law, we are left with no option but to demand that the Minister of COGTA intervenes.
We have asked the Minister to also look at all decisions signed off by Ms Botes during the term of her irregular extension and during her time as acting COO without council approval.
Historically, Botes’s name has been linked to corruption and scandal. She has been implicated in personal protection equipment corruption, with damning findings in the SIU proclamation R23 of 2020.
While residents go days without electricity, sewage floods the streets, and water outages run rampant the city continues to spend money on legal opinions to try and justify irregular appointments. The DA stands for the rule of law, transparency and accountability – we will not sit idle by while the City of Johannesburg tramples on the rule and spirit of the law. We are exploring all options and reserve our rights in this matter.