GOOD committed to the rule of law in the Johannesburg City Council

9 September 2022

The GOOD party stands in support of the rule of law in the City of Johannesburg amid disputes about the appointment of new Speaker in council. 

Last week, GOOD supported the motion of no confidence against Speaker, Vasco da Gama, after he abused the position of Speaker to shield the government from Council and public scrutiny, and to undermine transparency.

Since then, the chair of chairs Colleen Makhubele has issued a notice for an extraordinary meeting of council to take place on Tuesday, 13 September as part of what she claims is her role as Acting City of Joburg speaker. 

GOOD takes note of this notice and the decision from the office of the city manager to apply for an interdict against the notice.

Based on the Municipal Structures Act (MSA), we believe that the notice for the upcoming council meeting is invalid. According to Section 41 of the MSA: “If the Speaker of a Municipal Council is absent or not available to perform the functions of Speaker, or during a vacancy, the Council must elect another Councillor to act as Speaker.” 

Furthermore, it states that an election is required for an Acting Speaker to be appointed by Council. To date, no Council meeting has taken place to elect an Acting Speaker since the Motion of No Confidence in Cllr Da Gama.

As GOOD, we stand by what is enshrined in the MSA. We cannot allow an invalid process to go ahead which will continue to destabilise the running of the City and distract leaders from focusing on service delivery. 

We will only support those who want to run a clean, effective City and those who put the needs of the residents first. 

Issued by Lloyd Phillips, GOOD: City of Johannesburg Councillor, 9 September 2022