The DA in Lephalale has tabled a motion in council to refer the ANC Chief Whip, Joseph Machaba, to the ethics committee after he instructed municipal officials to remove all DA councillors from a hybrid strategic planning session and to withhold the relevant documents.
Councillor Machaba gave an order to municipal officials of Lephalale local municipality to deny the 3 DA councillors access to the relevant documents on the workshop presented at Palala Lodge that the DA did not attend in protest to the cost implications.
These actions are a direct contravention of the Municipal Systems Act, 2000, Section 119 that states a councillor may not influence the municipal manager or any other staff member of a municipality not to enforce an obligation in terms of the act, any other applicable legislation or any by-law or a decision of the council.
The conduct of the chief whip was unacceptable and failed to provide democratic and accountable governance. It denied DA councillors the chance to positively contribute to the strategic planning session and help improve the lives of the local community.
The DA will not allow the ANC’s abuse of power and bully tactics. The DA will always stand for the rule of law and equality before the law.