[Speech]: ANC Motion of No Confidence, a Gateway to Corruption

Date: 30 October 2022

Release: Immediate

Note to Editors: The following statement is a speech that was delivered by DA Councillor in Ekurhuleni, Cllr. Sinethemba Matiwane, during an Ordinary Council Meeting held on the 26th of October 2022.

Ke ya Leboga Mr. Speaker

All protocol observed.

Allow me to take this Council back to some of the reasons why the ANC did not win a majority in the past two terms.

Upon taking Mayoral Office in the City, the City of Ekurhuleni had stagnant collection rate, 14 days cash on hand, as opposed to the 30-day requirement, a Moodey’s downgrade at the end of November 2022, and a reduction of almost R500 million in borrowing as a result of bad debt.

In the last 10 years, we have witnessed the erection of a R13 million statue and the construction of a R50 million museum which today shows no value to residents in this City. All projects which have been manipulated to fill cadre pockets. There were many other projects like this that were in the pipeline, destined to milk the City for what its worth, which include a University, a Zoo, a F1 race track, and a botanical garden.

At the end of the previous term, the Vosloorus Taxi Rank stood at an estimated R100 million, as opposed to its original cost of R16 million. The project is still standing incomplete even though the cost of the project increased tenfold. The Blue gum taxi rank was also estimated around R16 million as well, and it costed the City close to R100 million to complete, yet the taxi rank is not operational because of a lack of consultation and contractual issues from the previous administration.

Right outside the Council precinct we can see a billboard of a planned planetarium and civic precinct introduced 6 years ago and the SAAME building which is close to 6 years behind schedule due to dubious contractor appointments and relations with the DBSA. The original cost of the renovation of the SAAME building was R30 million, and the cost currently stands at near R90 million.

The SAAME building is still not complete today, yet former Mayor Mzwandile Masina stated in November 2019, that officials were getting ready to move into the building.

Let’s not forget about the R2.2 billion spent on phase 1 of the BRT project, which is still not fully operational or the R842 million debt financing deal for the City’s BRT bus acquisition.

The Brakpan Bus Company which we officially closed in this Council today, which has been subjected to a Section 78 review after it was deemed unsustainable due to its state of insolvency.

Let me remind you of the R27 million tender that was awarded to the company, Enviro Mobi, back in 2018 on more than 70 tuk tuks that were dumped near the Platkop Landfill Site.

Should I continue with the R21.8 million IT tender fraud case, or the potential R320 million fleet cargate tender scandal that has now brought the City to its knees with existing vehicles being left to decay for over 10 years and no new vehicles being procured because tenderpreneurs saw an opportunity to loot.

At one point in time the MPAC Standing Committee was dealing with matters totalling R2.2 billion with items dating back almost 10 years. Corrupt officials have since left the metro, received no disciplinary action and we are yet to recuperate this money. Yet here we are, still questioning why the ANC should be allowed to return to the Mayoral seat.

Now today, the ANC comes to this Council sitting and cries foul about a lack of service delivery, when in fact the collapse of service delivery in this City has been years in the making.

When I look across the benches on the other side, I ask myself “ngobani ababantu”? Who are these people calling themselves the Moses of our time?

What is their ideology? What do they stand for?

Wikipedia call them “Izikhothane” or rather “Skhothane”, which refers to “South African showmanship or dance battles in which individuals or groups of individuals compete against each other in front of large crowds to determine which party is wealthier”. I call them the “Moet and Verve detachment”.

When the Coalition Government under Executive Mayor Tania Campbell took over, the ratepayers closed the taps to these Skhothane’s, their political patronage system were paralyzed. They are now in limbo without the access to the City’s purse, ba dizzy and have ran out of ideas, badlala iLotto through this motion with ithemba that they might hit the jackpot. You can see how depressed they are, you hardly see former Mayor Mzwandile Masina or former MMC Doctor Xhakaza attending physical Council meetings.

The people of this beautiful City have spoken through the last two local government elections, they don’t want the ANC back in Ekurhuleni and I’m delivering this obituary on their behalf. Please accept that you have lost power and give the coalition government space and support in the wards you are leading. You have made your submissions through Integrated Development Plan (IDP) in May and the IDP review last month. The IDP is the amathulusi which the Executive Mayor will use to drive change you want to see in your wards.

As I close, the DA Caucus has full confidence in Executive Mayor Tania Campbell, this is our Vote of Confidence in her ability to lead this City to greater heights.

From the Democratic Alliance Caucus in City of Ekurhuleni, we say that this is our Vote of Confidence in you, Executive Mayor, Tania Campbell.

To political parties representing residents in Ekurhuleni on the right, across the benches, nibezwe kodwa ningabalaleli.

I thank you Speaker

Cllr. Sinethemba Matiwane

DA PR Councillor in Ekurhuleni

082 390 4839