DA Shadow MMC for Transport, Nico de Jager, had claimed that the African National Congress (ANC) in the City of Johannesburg Transport Committee had attempted to pass a resolution to make all documents confidential to stop the DA from informing the media of any government-related activities.
De Jager said, “This was after open threats in the [transport] committee by the managing director of Metrobus, Mavela Dlamini, to stonewall the DA and provide no information going forward. This was because of a press statement released this month by councillor Gavin Ray on the fourth quarter report of Metrobus. [Dlamini] told the transport oversight committee that he won’t give the information that they ask for if [the DA] use it… [in the public domain].”
He added that Dlamini was the city manager until 2011 and it was during his time that City officials had not been allowed to communicate with politicians. “At that time any questions had to be directed via the responsible member of the Mayoral Committee in the City and answers were watered down,” De Jager said.
“This was a shocking attempt to silence the opposition.”
In his response, City of Johannesburg spokesperson, Nthatisi Modingoane, said no official had any such power or authority to deny the flow of information and De Jager was, in fact, mischievous when he said an official had attempted to stonewall the DA and provide no information going forward, as no such utterances were made.
“The pertinent issue was whether [the City of Johannesburg has to give an] account through the media or directly to the politically elected representatives,” Modingoane said.
He added that the rest of the allegations in De Jager’s statement had no merit, as the manner in which reporting and information was handled in the City was covered in the rules of council and committees. “There is nothing unbecoming of an official seeking guidance and clarity from the committee on how best to handle matters in the public domain, especially when they are peddled from a political platform,” Modingoane stated.
