Tshwane: DA weighs in on Maile for playing ‘roulette’ with people’s lives

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has “reliably” learned that Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance Lebogang Maile, will attempt to appeal the North Gauteng High Court ruling — the ruling which stated that Tshwane was wrongfully placed under administration.

On Wednesday 10 June, the court dismissed the Gauteng Government’s appeal against the ruling that was made on 26 April 2020 and indicated that the decision of the court is binding and that its ruling stands.

This means that the administrators appointed by the provincial government are no longer in charge in Tshwane and that elected councillors are to be reinstated.

‘ATTEMPT TO STEAL TSHWANE’ 

The DA said that Maile, a “self-evident constitutional delinquent,” has played roulette with the lives of the residents of Tshwane.

“His and the ANC’s first attempt to steal Tshwane soon came undone when it was clear that he had received poor legal advice and misunderstood the separation of powers between the three spheres of government,” said Leader of the Official Opposition in Gauteng Solly Msimanga. 

“The placing of the city under administration, aided and abetted by the infamous Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, was torn apart by the Judiciary who confirmed what the DA had been saying all along – that this decision was illegal,” added Msimanga. 

DA TABLES MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE IN MAILE 

The DA said that despite legal advice and scorn from the Judiciary, Maile is happy to waste more public money by undertaking an exercise in futility.

The blue party warned that if Maile is to appeal the Tshwane ruling, it will ensure that he covers the costs incurred in his personal capacity. 

“The DA has tabled a motion of no confidence in MEC Maile and will urge the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to fast track this motion as it is high time public funds are no longer squandered on Maile’s personal vanity project,” added Msimanga. 

PERSONAL LIABILITY 

The FF Plus has also welcomed the “sensible ruling” of the Gauteng High Court. 

“The ruling has restored democracy to its former glory and the ANC provincial government was given a well-deserved chastisement in court for its cynical abuse of statutory powers to undermine the democratically elected coalition government in the city,” said FF Plus national chairperson and MPL in Gauteng Anton Alberts. 

The party said the ANC’s actions can only be described as mala fide, particularly those of Maile, in the matter pertaining to the Tshwane administration. 

“That is why the FF Plus asked the coalition litigants, who will later appear before the Constitutional Court for the appeal, to request punitive cost orders against Maile and the other members of the executive authority who are involved in the case – which was agreed to,” said Alberts. 

The FF Plus said personal liability, can in the future, be used as an effective means to crack down on any unlawful actions.