Today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane opened criminal cases against ANC councillors accused by residents of reserving jobs for pals and cadres, trading jobs for votes, and rewarding those who campaign for the ANC during elections — all at the expense of ordinary, hardworking residents.
Corruption is not a victimless crime. Nowhere is that clearer than when politicians interfere with access to jobs. Across Tshwane, too many residents have come to accept that getting work means knowing the ward councillor or belonging to the ANC.
But this is not normal. It is illegal.
Today, the DA continued the fight for the hundreds of thousands of unemployed Tshwane residents who deserve a fair opportunity to work – regardless of who they know, which party they support, or who they vote for.
The DA was joined by residents from Pretoria West, Soshanguve, the Pretoria CBD, Mamelodi and Atteridgeville who came forward with allegations about how jobs and opportunities have been controlled in their communities.
In Ward 81 in the Pretoria CBD, residents marched to demand transparency and fair access to jobs on local development projects. The DA has since received information that the brother of ANC ward councillor Mpho Lewele was allegedly appointed as a CLO on a project in the ward.
In Ward 60, Pretoria West, ANC councillor Mpati Ramphile has been accused by residents — and even his own ANC branch secretary — of excluding the community from local projects and placing his own people into opportunities.
In Ward 27, Soshanguve, ANC councillor Bongani Masina was accused of extorting a local business for monthly payments linked to an EPWP subcontract. A case of extortion was subsequently opened with SAPS.
And in Mamelodi, our own DA ward councillor candidate, MaTshwane, came forward with allegations that she was denied a job because she was not a card-carrying ANC member. We have also submitted affidavits containing similar allegations against Ward 21 ANC councillor Phumzile Mbokane in Mabopane, and in Ward 71 in Atteridgeville, we have submitted affidavits and voice notes containing allegations of similar conduct against ANC ward councillor Mmakgoko Phasha.
The DA assisted these residents in putting their allegations on affidavit and submitting them to SAPS for investigation.
Jobs cannot become political currency in the hands of councillors.
But opening criminal cases is only part of the fight.
A DA government in Tshwane will establish a dedicated anti-corruption unit to investigate corruption involving politicians, officials, tenders and municipal job opportunities.
The unit will work with law-enforcement agencies and conduct lawful undercover operations to gather evidence against people who demand money, political support or favours in exchange for jobs.
We want evidence gathered. We want cases opened. We want those responsible prosecuted. Every resident of Tshwane deserves a fair opportunity to work. Jobs must be for residents – not for pals and cadres