Opposition walkout delays auction of Sputla’s ‘house of corruption’

The sale of the mayoral mansion in Tshwane, dubbed the “house of corruption”, has been delayed after the ANC caucus successfully collapsed yesterday’s council meeting where the auction of the house was to be voted on.

The ANC caucus walked out of the council meeting, leaving a quorum of 95 members, following the unexplained no-show of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

This led to speaker Katlego Mathebe postponing the sitting. ANC caucus leader Mapiti Matsena said they would not assist the DA-led government in running the capital as some of the reports to be tabled were “going to cause problems”.

“We didn’t walk out. We just don’t assist the DA with governing. Some of the reports are going to cause problems in the City of Tshwane. The DA-led government now wants to blame us for not wanting to assist in terms of governing. They could not continue with the council meeting because the DA is not in charge,” Matsena said.

Mayor Solly Msimanga said the walkout was under the “pretext” that EFF councillors were not present at council.

But Matsena said the EFF was not present as there were challenges in the coalition.

This follows the removal by a motion of no confidence of Nelson Mandela Bay deputy mayor and UDM member Mongameli Bobani, which the EFF has slammed as “bullying tactics” by the DA.

“For council to proceed, you must have 50%, plus one. The DA does not have that. The residents of Tshwane must know that the DA is not in charge of the municipality unless assisted by the EFF,” Matsena explained.

EFF leader Benjamin Disoloane could not be reached for comment.

Msimanga said the walkout was “selfishly staged” as yesterday’s sitting was also to approve the employment of 23 000 youths through the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP).

“The same ANC councillors who claim to advocate for the needs of the communities have once again proven they only have their own interests at heart. They have chosen to play politics at the expense of residents.

“The public must know that, on this day, when we wanted to uplift 23 000 poor families through our EPWP and through the sale of the mayoral mansion, the ANC said ‘no’,” Msimanga said.

Mayoral spokesperson Sam Mgobozi told The Citizen the mansion’s auction would be delayed due to the meeting’s postponement.

“But we are still selling it,” he said. – rorisangk@citizen.co.za