ActionSA writes to Midvaal Mayor to answer why Msimanga addressed Midvaal State of Municipality Address

29 June 2023

ActionSA has written to Midvaal Local Municipality Mayor, Peter Teixeira, and Council Speaker, Alan McLoughlin, to urgently explain why DA Gauteng Provincial Leader, Solly Msimanga, was allowed to speak at the State of the Municipality Address (SoMA) on this morning.

This is a bald-faced breach of government ethics, specifically the doctrine of the separation of party and state given that Msimanga holds no government position and is, in fact, a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

As a party which adheres to ethical leadership, ActionSA believes that no government resource or platform should be used to advance the interest of a single political party when it is intended to represent the interest of all residents.

As much as it would be unacceptable for ANC officials to speak at government events, it is unacceptable for DA officials to speak at government events. There should be no exception simply because the DA runs a municipality.

All political parties have the right to campaign openly and freely in South Africa, but this cannot take place using state resources which are intended to serve the residents of communities.

The DA often accuses the ANC of incorrectly using state resources for party benefit. It is therefore hypocritical that where the DA controls a municipality, it does exactly the same thing.

ActionSA awaits Teixeira and McLoughlin’s urgent response in this regard to ensure that the abuse of power and state resources does not occur. If necessary, ActionSA will consider taking additional steps in this regard.

Issued by Funzi Ngobeni, ActionSA Gauteng Chairperson, 29 June 2023