ActionSA to take CoJ speaker to Ethics Committee

Political party ActionSA says it will be taking formal action against City of Johannesburg Speaker, Colleen Makhubele after she failed to attend and preside over two council meetings to attend ‘internal squabbles’.

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The party’s decision to refer Makhubele to the Council’s Ethics Committee comes after Makhubele filed a leave of absence citing ill-health but was seen taking part in the Tshwane Council Meeting which took place concurrently as the Johannesburg council was in progress.

Makhubele was supposed to preside over the 12th Council meeting at the City of Johannesburg this week.

“She blatantly and plainly in dereliction of her duties to the city of Johannesburg and as such has a case to answer for at the Ethic Committee,” Action SA Caucus leader in the city Funzi Ngoobeni explained its decision.

The party states that Makhubele’s action is a clear indicator that she has always placed the interests of her political party above those of the residents of Johannesburg.

“…Whilst ActionSA respects Makhubele’s right to place leave of absence, this must be done in good faith. As the speaker of council, Makhubele has the responsibility to chair the proceedings of council,” Ngobeni states.

“To see her leaving her responsibility to try to influence proceedings of the Tshwane Council is both an insult to the people of Joburg and an indication that she doesn’t take her responsibility seriously.”

Ngobeni also announced that it will be raising to the Ethics Committee allegations that Makhubele used VIP Protection to conduct unofficial business outside the boundaries of the municipality.

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He said the party would not allow unethical behavior to go unaddressed and will ensure that officials are held accountable.

“No individual should be allowed to abuse the privileges given by the public office,” he said.