Minority Parties Seek Removal of MMC in Johannesburg, Suggest Former Mayor as Replacement
A political shake-up is brewing in Johannesburg as the Minority Governing Parties (MGP) are requesting the removal of Tebogo Nkonkou, the MMC for Community Development. They've written a letter to Mayor Dada Morero, proposing the return of former mayor, Thapelo Amad, to fill the position. The move comes amid accusations of underperformance and lack of accountability against Nkonkou.
Accusations Against Nkonkou
The MGP, a coalition of ten smaller parties within the African National Congress (ANC)-led government, claims that Nkonkou has failed to adequately address challenges within his department. Specific accusations include not attending important meetings, failing to provide feedback to the caucus, and neglecting issues such as the disrepair of city facilities. They also allege that Nkonkou has victimized some staff members.
- Failure to attend important meetings.
- Lack of feedback to the caucus.
- Failure to address challenges in his department, such as the state of disrepair of city facilities.
- Allegations of staff victimization.
According to Yongama Zigebe, secretary of the MGP, the parties have lost faith in Nkonkou’s ability to execute his duties. The MGP is comprised of parties including Cope, UDM, Al-Jamaah, UIM, and ATM.
“The gross violation of trust and the narrow pursuit of self-interest by the current Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC), Councillor Pardon Tebogo Nkokou, has necessitated decisive intervention,” said Zigebe.
The Proposed Replacement: Thapelo Amad
The MGP is advocating for the return of Thapelo Amad, a former mayor of Johannesburg, to replace Nkonkou. Amad currently serves as chairperson of the section 79 oversight committee on health and social development. If Amad is appointed, Fatima Abdul will fill the vacancy he leaves behind.
According to Lubabalo Magwentshu, Deputy secretary of the MGP, the current MMC is evading accountability. "The MMC of community development is evading accountability by not attending meetings where he is expected to account. For an example, out of about 58 swimming pools only 36 swimming pools have been opened and we don’t know the reason why. Our facilities in the city are in a state of disrepair and we don’t know what he is doing about that; he is not giving us any report to that effect.”
Nkonkou's Response and ANC's Position
Nkonkou has dismissed the MGP's actions, stating that he does not recognize them as a legal body and that his party, the PAC, has not been consulted. He emphasized that the executive mayor holds the sole authority to appoint and dismiss members of the mayoral committee. Nkonkou also highlighted the PAC's membership in the government of national unity (GNU) and warned against any attempts to destabilize the government.
“It is, therefore, misleading and legally baseless for any group to suggest that it has resolved to recall me from a position to which I was lawfully appointed by the executive mayor,” he said.
The ANC is expected to meet with the minority parties to discuss the matter. However, the mayor's legislative power to appoint and dismiss MMC members remains a key factor in the situation. The minority parties hold significant influence, having played a crucial role in Dada Morero's election and continued tenure as mayor.
The Bigger Picture: Coalitions and Political Dynamics in Johannesburg
This dispute highlights the complex coalition dynamics within Johannesburg's government. The ANC recently resolved a similar issue with the Patriotic Alliance (PA) regarding the MMC for Transport position. These ongoing negotiations underscore the importance of minority parties in maintaining the stability of the Government of Local Unity (GLU) and the potential for power struggles within the council.
