SALGA welcomes the decision of CoGTA MEC Maile to rescind the decision to suspend CoJ and Tshwane Councillors

Posted: 29 January 2020

Calls on all MECs of local government to always engage the association
   
Following engagements between SALGA and Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and CoGTA Lebogang Maile on Monday, 27 January 2020, pertaining the recent decision to suspend councillors in the City of Tshwane and City of Johannesburg, SALGA is pleased and welcomes the decision of the MEC to rescind the suspension and calls for to all local government nationwide to always engage SALGA on all matters impacting on in the sector.

Subsequent to the announcement of the councillor suspensions  for breaching the code of conduct, SALGA wrote to the MEC to raise concerns regarding the decision. The MEC convened a meeting with SALGA, where he reported that further engagements and legal advice sought, he has taken the decision to rescind the two councillors’ suspension.

SALGA Gauteng Chairperson Cllr Busisiwe Modisakeng says: “In light of this decision, SALGA anticipates that council processes will unfold. We appreciate the efforts taken by the MEC to meet and engage with SALGA and in light of the decision taken by the MEC to rescind the suspension of the two councillors, that the due processes of council will be applied and further decisions to be taken should be informed by the council processes of the municipalities”.

The decision to engage with the MEC was to ensure that due legislative processes are adhered to. “SALGA remains guided by its mandate to represent and lobby on behalf of our members, and we are guided by the law in so doing. We call upon MECs for local government across our provinces to engage with SALGA on all matters materially impacting on local government to avoid the repeat of the Gauteng situation,” says Modisakeng.