Moosajee never gave up: DA

Johannesburg member of the mayoral committee Rehana Moosajee never gave up trying to find solutions to make entities work sometimes not receiving adequate budget allocations, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said.

"It is with great regret and sadness that the DA has learned about the resignation of Transport MMC Councillor Rehana Moosajee," transport spokesman Nico de Jager said in a statement.

"Councillor Moosajee was without a doubt the most effective member of the mayoral committee. Rehana worked relentlessly on the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit linking the Johannesburg CBD with Soweto, often under very difficult and dangerous circumstances."

De Jager was responding to the announcement from the mayor's office on Sunday that Moosajee has resigned.

Spokesman for the mayor's office Fred Makoko said her resignation takes effect as from March 1.

"Councillor Moosajee cited personal reasons for her resignation," he said.

She was selected to serve as the transport MMC in 2006 when the portfolio was first introduced.

"Under her leadership the City embarked upon establishing Africa's first Bus Rapid Transport System - Reya Vaya; that is environmentally friendly and empowers communities and business people from previously disempowered communities," said Makoko.

"Under her leadership Johannesburg created a transport system which is the recipient of many awards across the globe [and] it transports approximately one million passengers a month, and is operated by among others local taxi drivers and owners."

Executive mayor Parks Tau thanked Moosajee for serving the city "with diligence and energy".

"She leaves the city with a viable transport system which she helped transform," he said.

De Jager added that the DA respect Moosajee's decision.

Christine Walters has been appointed to take over Moosajee's position.

Walters previously served in the mayoral committee as MMC for community development as well as infrastructure and services.