EKURHULENI ANC ACCUSED OF 'SHIELDING' ARRESTED CITY MANAGER AMID FRESH CORRUPTION STORM
LISTEN HERE @KASIBCAUDIO
GERMISTON — The African National Congress (ANC) in the City of Ekurhuleni has plunged the municipality into a fierce political standoff after blocking an urgent motion to place the city’s embattled City Manager under precautionary suspension following his arrest on corruption charges.
The political firestorm ignited after the ANC Speaker of Council, John Senona, officially disallowed an urgent motion tabled by the Democratic Alliance (DA). The motion called for the immediate, temporary removal of City Manager Kagiso Lerutla, who stands accused of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice.
Opposition parties have slammed the decision, arguing that the ruling coalition is weaponizing its administrative power to shield an embattled high-ranking official at the expense of transparency and service delivery for Ekurhuleni residents.
Accountability Stalled in Council
The administrative crisis deepened following allegations that Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, deliberately missed a critical opportunity to table an official investigative report on the matter during the previous council sitting, effectively delaying any decisive municipal action.
The DA argues that placing a top official on precautionary suspension during a criminal investigation is standard administrative protocol to ensure a fair, unhindered legal process. They claim the Speaker’s refusal to allow the urgent motion back onto the floor is a textbook example of political protectionism.
"The obstruction of accountability makes it clear: Lerutla is another cadre being protected by his deployers," the DA stated in a biting rebuke. "We reiterate our position that this City should not be led by people who stand accused of fraud and corruption. Residents want to see a government that works, not one that strategically stalls to frustrate justice."
Escalating to COGTA and Heading to the Polls
With the local council deadlocked by political maneuvering, opposition benches are now bypassing local structures to force a provincial intervention. The DA confirmed it is writing an official appeal to the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, urging his office to step in and investigate the executive gridlock paralyzing the metro.
The timing of the scandal is highly volatile for the ANC-led coalition, coming just months before South Africans head to the polls for the high-stakes 2026 Local Government Elections later this year.
Political analysts suggest that the ongoing governance battles in Ekurhuleni—historically a key economic hub in Gauteng—will serve as a crucial battleground.
The DA has already seized on the controversy as a rallying cry for its campaign, boldly declaring that it is ready to "Clean House" if voters deliver an outright majority in the metro later this year.
As public outrage mounts over the stalled suspension, pressure is shifting to the desk of COGTA MEC Jacob Mamabolo to see if provincial government will override the local council's decision and force the arrested accounting officer to step aside.
NEWS ~ AUDIO ~ VIDEO ~ EVENTS ~ TOURS ~ STORES
WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM
No comments:
Post a Comment
KASIPEOPLE