The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg is not surprised by the latest allegations relating to extortion, corruption, and alleged capture within municipal entities such as City Power and Johannesburg Water.b
What is unfolding appears to follow the same modus operandi that has turned the City of Johannesburg and its municipal entities into political spoils for ANC-connected networks.
For years, the ANC has allegedly used municipal entities through the strategic placement of politically connected individuals on boards and within senior management positions. Once internal fallout occurs, allegations of extortion, intimidation, and irregular conduct emerge, while officials and board members quietly resign without any meaningful consequence management.
This pattern is deeply concerning and points to a systemic governance crisis within the City of Johannesburg and its entities.
It is for this reason that the DA previously wrote to the Auditor-General of South Africa, requesting investigations into allegations of possible collusion, an analysis of City Power’s procurement practices, and forensic investigations into procurement and governance failures within the entity.
The DA has also previously forwarded information received anonymously to law enforcement authorities for investigation.
However, in light of the latest extortion allegations involving City Power, the DA will now formally request that the information previously submitted be revisited, while also calling on the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to consider seeking a proclamation for a full investigation into City Power, particularly its procurement practices.
It must be emphasised that resignations do not necessarily exonerate officials from accountability where they may have failed to uphold the principles and obligations contained in the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
The seriousness of these allegations may point to possible violations of Sections 105 and 106 of the MFMA, which deal with financial misconduct, irregular expenditure, and the obligation to investigate allegations of financial impropriety within municipalities and municipal entities.
Residents of Johannesburg continue to suffer from collapsing service delivery, deteriorating infrastructure, escalating tariffs, and ongoing power and water failures, while politically connected networks allegedly fight over access to resources within captured institutions. The DA remains committed to exposing corruption, strengthening oversight, and ensuring that all those implicated in wrongdoing are held accountable, regardless of political position or affiliation.