The City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Finance, Dr Rabelani Dagada, has been removed and placed on suspension by Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba.
Dagada marks the third MMC removed from Mashaba’s 10-person executive team.
Mashaba made the announcement on 15 January, citing a consultation with the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) federal executive.
Not only has Dagada now been removed as MMC, but he has also been suspended as a councillor pending an enquiry of the DA’s federal legal commission.
Mashaba said that after allegations of undue influence and nepotism against the MMC, he initiated a forensic investigation through an external company which concluded on 12 January.
Dagada has been accused of making sure certain tenders were awarded to those close to him.
Mashaba said the forensic investigation found Dagada to have been involved in price fixing with a service provider to the City.
“The forensic investigation found that Dagada breached the City’s code of conduct by not declaring his interests and, subsequently, conflicts of interest with individuals closely associated with him,” Mashaba said.
“It is understood from the investigation that Dagada has acted in a manner which has sought, either directly or indirectly, to benefit service providers and officials closely associated with him. In this process, a series of events have transpired that, in my view, could not have taken place coincidentally to the exclusive benefit of these associates.”
He said the investigation pins Dagada as unfairly treating officials to authorise procurements deals. “The officials refused. I take a small measure of comfort in this, knowing that we have begun to achieve a professionalised civil service when principled officials, acting in the interests of our residents, are defended and those alleged of wrongdoing are dealt with decisively.”
The City initiated disciplinary action against other implicated officials.
Dagada will also face a complaint at the ethics committee of council and criminals charges.
MMC for Development Planning, Funzela Ngibeni, has been moved to the finance portfolio and PR councillor Reuben Masango will fill Ngobeni’s role.
Also read: Property hijacking kingpin and two accomplices arrested – Mashaba
