The ANC Speaker of Ekurhuleni Council, John Senona, has once again protected the City Manager, Kagiso Lerutla, who has been arrested of corruption, by blocking an urgent motion on pre-cautionary suspension submitted by the DA.
By refusing to allow the matter to return before council as an urgent issue, the coalition appears more focused on shielding the City Manager than ensuring accountability and transparency for residents.
It should not be necessary to remind the ANC that Mr Lerutla is accused of serious criminal offenses, for which he has been arrested. His pre-cautionary suspension would ensure a fair process.
The failure of the Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, to table a report to council in the previous meeting was a missed opportunity which further delayed justice.
The DA thus brought a motion to this effect. The obstruction of accountability makes it clear: Lerutla is another cadre, being protected by his deployers.
We reiterate our position that the City should not be led by people who stand accused of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice. We demand accountability.
We will be writing to the Gauteng MEC for COGTA, Jacob Mamabolo, to escalate the issue for further assistance on the matter.
The ANC’s tactic of strategically stalling will run out of steam, voters in Ekurhuleni want to see a government that works, not one that delays and frustrates. The DA is ready to take the reigns come the local government elections later this year, and we call upon voters to give us a majority. We will clean house.