Msimanga, Mosola in mudslinging ‘contests’ at Tshwane house
Mayor says probe into metro senior qualifications a ploy to distract attention from city manager's alleged tender fraud.
A probe into the qualifications of Tshwane metro top management was a ploy to distract attention from allegations of tender fraud against city manager Moeketsi Mosola, mayor Solly Msimanga has said.
“It is clearly a deliberate attempt to smear the office of the mayor,” said Msimanga, of the investigation into qualifications of staff working in his office.
“The motives of the city manager have by now been clearly established,” he said.
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“By focusing mostly on officials in the office of the mayor, he [Mosola] could deflect attention from the allegations of serious GladAfrica tender irregularities against him.”
Msimanga said over the past few months, there has “been a fixation with the qualifications” of those employed in his office.
“During the internal probe, Mosola formally communicated the findings made against particular staff members in the office of the speaker and the office of the mayor.
“This comprised not only their personal information and the integrity of the investigation but was also in violation of instructions given to the administration,” Msimanga said.
“Any shortcomings identified in the recruitment process of top-level officials, if any, will be addressed. Remedial actions will be made based on the report’s findings.”
The Tshwane city manager is appointed by the city council and not necessarily the main political party.
Mosola has been at odds recently with what he called a “white minority cabal” in the DA administration.
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“[They] wanted me out at all costs because I was responsible for the dismissal of their blue-eyed beloved,” said Mosola, referring to former chief of staff Marietha Aucamp who was fired for allegedly lying about her qualifications.
Last week, Mosola made headlines for his involvement in a fraudulent multibillion-rand tender awarded to GladAfrica, an engineering consultancy firm.
He successfully got the Labour Court to block what he termed a “bogus” report into the irregularities.
The Sunday Times and City Press, however, said the provisional report by Bowman Gilfillan found that the R12-billion tender given to GladAfrica had been in contravention of tender laws.
Following the articles, Mosola expressed shock at the report being leaked.
Mosola had refused to answer questions about the report when called by the papers, merely telling them it was unlawful for them to have the report.
“It is shocking and disturbing that the DA, who claims to respect the rule of law, has chosen to leak a council report to the media – a serious transgression against the court interdict.”
He said the “least” he expected from the mayor was respect for the law; instead of blatantly defying court instructions and unlawfully leaking a “bogus” report.
“These antics are similar to that of apartheid Stratcom,” he said.
“The DA government in Tshwane acted unconstitutionally by defying the court order and therefore they cannot lay a claim to clean governance.
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“Clean governance means respecting the rule of law – even if it does not favour you.”
Mayoral spokesperson Samkelo Mgobozi said the DA administration would not be drawn into spurious allegations levelled against it.
“If he has proof of unlawful conduct he must produce the evidence and dispense with this bluster,” said Mgobozi.
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