WATCH: ‘I was asked to leave the mayor’s team,’ says former MMC Anthony Still

Councillor Nico de Jager will assume the position of MMC for environmental and infrastructure services.

Joburg DA councillor and former MMC for environment and infrastructure, Anthony Still.

Anthony Still was removed from office by the Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba earlier in the week on February 14, Comaro Chronicle reports .

He told the Randburg Sun that he and Mashaba differed over whether managing director of City Power Sicelo Xulu should be fired.

Meanwhile, Still has spoken out on getting fired.

Asked whether he was fired or resigned, he responded: “No, I was fired. The last thing I would’ve wanted is to leave the job I really enjoyed. I thought I was making a contribution, and in my mind I had a wonderful set of ideas and incubating projects that were in the process of being executed. I loved it, it was pudding to me so there’s no ways I would’ve resigned. I was told to leave the mayor’s team.”

Still also confirmed there was no letter of dismissal and likened it to a coach picking his soccer team and deciding to drop a player because he did not like them anymore.

MMC Still has served the CoJ in various roles for a considerable period of time His knowledge of infrastructure services has been invaluable

— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) February 14, 2017

The mayor said in his statement he was firmly of the view that he required a team of MMCs who shared his commitment to tackling matters of alleged fraud and corruption in the City.

READ MORE: Mashaba fires MMC Anthony Still

Still objected to the insinuation that he was not as serious about corruption as the mayor.

“It’s the way in which one goes about it and the way in which one treats people that have allegations against them. One has to follow due process,” said Still.

“I am as keen as the mayor to wipe out corruption, and in fact, I supported the fact that he wants another investigation into all the allegations around City Power.”

I'm firmly of the view that I require a team of MMCs who share my commitment to tackling matters of alleged fraud and corruption in the City

— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) February 14, 2017

He said he looked through the investigations and came up with nothing, but was fully supportive of the mayor. He said he did not believe in pulling the trigger on someone on the basis of allegations that have been looked at before.

Asked whether he believed there was corruption within City Power and whether Xulu was indeed innocent, Still said: “I’m quite happy for another investigation to be done, but on the basis of evidence so far and what has held water after investigations by Edward Nathan, KPMG, advocates, the auditor-general. He came clean every time.”

Mashaba announced that councillor Nico de Jager will assume the position of MMC for environmental and infrastructure services.