Mashatile to lead government intervention team in once ‘shining star’ City of Joburg

The national government will soon intervene in the running of the City of Johannesburg after complaints from civil society and some opposition parties about the deteriorating state of the country’s economic hub.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile told the National Assembly, during a Q&A session on Thursday that he will soon be leading a delegation with Cogta minister Thembi Nkadimeng as part of government’s intervention plan in the City of Johannesburg, which parties such as the DA say has a governance crisis.

Mashatile was responding to a follow-up question from DA MP Leon Schreiber, who wanted to know if he supported the DA’s call for the dissolution of the current council and mayoral committee of the City of Johannesburg.

The City of Johannesburg is run by a coalition between the ANC and the EFF, among other parties, which has given mayorship to Kabelo Gwamanda from the one-seat party of Al-Jamah.

But the DA and other parties such as ActionSA, along with civil society, have decried the state of the city under the ANC-EFF coalition and have called on the national government to intervene.

Mashatile has now told parliament that government was also concerned about the state of Johannesburg and has resolved to intervene.

He said if need be they will “change people” in the higher echelons of the Johannesburg metro.

“I have seen in the news a lot of news about Joburg, and I have decided that the minister of Cogta and myself should intervene, so we will go to Joburg to deal with that situation,” he said.

“I often find that intervention of that nature is very helpful when you go to the ground, meet the people, find out what the challenges are and if there is a need that we change people, that will be done.

“But we will let you know once we have intervened there because I am as concerned as you about Johannesburg. In fact, I live there, and I am worried because Joburg is supposed to be the shining star.

“There was a time when we used to call it Africa’s best city, when Parks Tau was still there, but we know that there are challenges, but we will go and intervene, we have to get Joburg right. I am happy that you asked that question, you will hear from me.” 

At the same time, Mashatile has called on parties to make their final submissions on the national dialogue on coalition governments’ declaration to finalise the framework that will govern coalition governments. 

The declaration was adopted at the national dialogue on coalitions Mashatile hosted in August.

“We urge all political parties to submit, as agreed, so that we can then consolidate that report, prepare it and submit it to parliament before the end of this term, and in that way, we would have concluded our work properly,” Mashatile told MPs on Thursday. 

The question on the coalitions had been asked by the FF Plus’ Pieter Mulder, who wanted to know whether any political parties or other organisations have signed the national dialogue’s declaration.

Mashatile said after the August dialogue, parties asked to be allowed space to consult their constituencies on the declaration, but few have signed it since then. 

“Where we are now is that we want to thank the political parties that submitted their inputs, not all political parties have responded as yet. It was only the IFP that responded, but I am told by my office that there are others now that have responded, we are compiling the list, but not everybody has responded.” 

Mashatile said the government wants to develop a framework that “binds everybody” in prioritising service delivery, good governance and resource mobility.

“I am awaiting a response from the rest, and we will follow up with other parties and then we will finalise that framework accordingly, and then bring it to parliament for consideration.”

Mulder criticised the process, saying it was unlikely for the coalitions framework to be finalised before the 2024 elections.

“My concern is that we are unlikely to find an agreement, amendments and legislation sought in time for the provincial and national elections next year.

“Are we not concerned that trying to find a framework at this stage will cause some problems because of the political climate that will have an effect caused by how people view the framework?” 

Mashatile said the sooner the political parties finalise the framework, the better. 

“I know during the debate at the dialogue the concern was whether we want the legislation in this regard and others said the framework was enough. There was also concern whether you want to rush the framework because you anticipate in the upcoming elections there will need for coalition, but we said not necessarily.” 

Mashatile said political parties have realised a framework was needed, and “should there be a need for legislation, that will be considered in the near future, but at the very least, I think we would have the framework concluded as soon as possible”.

The ANC’s Pemmy Majodina asked whether Mashatile had given political parties a deadline for their submissions to which he said he wanted to conclude the matter before the end of the current term. 

“We also want this framework to be used at municipal level because that is where the problems are. I will write to the political parties to remind them. The cut-off is before the end of this financial term.”