EFF questions creation of deputy mayor position
The metro fails to increase worker salaries but has the budget to pay the deputy mayor, says the EFF.
The source of funding for paying for the proposed post of Tshwane deputy mayor remains unclear, EFF regional deputy chairperson Godwin Ratikwane charged on Monday.
Ratikwane said currently the municipality did not have funds to pay out extra perks, adding that it was already struggling to pay members of the mayoral committee.
He said the party would not support the move by the current administration due to lack of funds.
“Currently workers are denied their hard-earned salary increases and the desperation of the politicians to share whatever little that is remaining is rather sad to witness,” he said.
Ratikwane said the EFF will not support any candidate put forward by any organisation as it strongly believed the creation of the position shouldn’t have been passed by the council in the first place.
“The report [post] is based on the pressure from ActionSA, which seeks to cement its position in the coalition. This is all about satisfying the crybaby of the coalition, being ActionSA.”
The EFF said Tshwane could have ensured that workers who were struggling and still suffering received their annual increment.
“We eagerly await a comprehensive report detailing the additional funds allocated towards this seemingly redundant position.
“On behalf of the EFF in Tshwane, we raised concerns regarding the political motivations driving such decisions in a city grappling with financial constraints,” Ratikwane said.
Activist and Citizens Forum spokesperson Dennis Bloem said the decision by the DA-led coalition government to create a deputy mayor position was insensitive.
“Not so long ago the city pleaded poverty, saying it doesn’t have money to effect the increment for the workers.
“It is also disgusting for ActionSA to be the first to nominate a candidate to occupy that position, the very same party who always pretends as if it is on the side of the residents and workers,” said Bloem.
ActionSA revealed that it will on Monday announce its nominee for Tshwane deputy mayor.
In a statement, ActionSA spokesperson Samkelo Mgobozi said his organisation championed the position to ensure the principles of co-governance were applied.
Mgobozi said the move would not only secure governance but also deepen power-sharing and produce stability within coalition partners.
“The election of deputy mayor is imperative to stave off a replay of previous government missteps concerning pressing matters such as the worker’s strike and the Rooiwaal wastewater treatment saga,” he said.
ActionSA chairperson Michael Beaumont is expected to announce his party candidate for deputy mayor on Monday.
The metro said that it would not comment on the matter until Thursday’s council meeting.
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