The ANC and the EFF have hit back at city manager Johan Mettler for reprimanding council employees in a letter in what he termed “unseemly conduct inside Tshwane House” against ex-mayor Cilliers Brink.
Mettler referred to incidents on September 27 after a council meeting where Brink’s tenure as mayor was ended by a vote of no confidence.
According to Mettler, Brink was accosted by a throng of people hurling expletives.
DA Tshwane caucus spokesperson Councillor Kwena Moloto said videos taken of the incident shocked many residents and commentators and tarnished the reputation of the Tshwane metro.
“Municipal employees are not meant to be drawn into political battles, let alone treat an elected office-bearer with open disdain,” said Moloto.
“The DA will fight, in court if necessary, to defend the city administration from the attacks of the Doomsday Coalition.”
To Moloto the letter was mild in tone and by no means controversial.
But both the ANC and the EFF have now taken aim at Mettler for his letter, and the fact that he dared to suggest that municipal employees must uphold professional standards above party political loyalty.
“This is the first sign of things to come under this Doomsday Pact, which has set its eyes on governing Tshwane,” remarked Moloto.
“They are taking aim at independent, non-political senior managers, so that they can replace them with their own discredited cadres.”
Leading the attack on Mettler on the ANC side is chief whip, Aaron Maluleka.
Maluleka is the political office-bearer responsible for managing ANC caucus staff.
He has penned a letter to Mettler accusing him of political favouritism. The letter was circulated among Tshwane metro employee groups.
ANC Tshwane Secretary George Matjila told Rekord there is a strong feeling among councillors across the different parties that Mettler does not discharge his functions fairly and equitably.
“He comes across as being partisan and biased,” said Matjila.
He referred to Maluleka’s letter, which states his concern as chief whip of the ANC that Mettler’s letter “appears to take a specific political stance, which undermines the objective leadership that our city needs”.
Maluleka wrote to Mettler that he finds “the decisions made during your tenure, have raised significant questions about accountability and sensitivity”.
In its statement on October 2, the EFF also attacked Mettler for his letter to staff.
EFF caucus leader Obakeng Ramabodu said it is clear that Mettler is using scare tactics to intimidate and bully workers who dare challenge the status quo.
“The EFF affirms that workers have the right to hold their leaders accountable without fear of retribution,” wrote Ramabodu.
He said Mettler’s reference to consequence management was an indication of his dictatorial leadership style.
“The EFF reminds Mettler that his days are numbered,” he wrote, adding that Mettler’s accusations are baseless and hypocritical.
“The people of Tshwane deserve leadership that prioritises their interests above personal agendas and power plays,” the statement read.
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