Johannesburg – Reinstated Mayor Dr. Mpho Phalatse has revealed that just hours after the high court ruled that her ouster was unlawful she called a Mayoral Committee meeting to tackle pressing matters.
Dr. Phalatse, who was unlawfully ousted at the end of last month, 30 September 2022), and replaced by Dada Morero said she went back to work on Tuesday evening,
“I chaired an urgent virtual meeting of the Mayoral Committee in order to get the City and its Executive back to work,” said Dr. Phalatse.
“It must be noted that in the few weeks that the illegally installed executive were in office, the Mayoral Committee never sat.
“They did although attempt to convene a Mayoral Committee on the day that the high court pronounced on their unconstitutional grab at power.”
The reinstated mayor said some of the matters discussed during the Mayoral Committee included the status of investigations into alleged corruption and the processes of filling vacancies, including that of the City Manager.
She said the vacancies exist at the level of Senior Managers.
“These are key officials in the administration and running of the City and its service delivery demands,” said Dr. Phalatse.
“Further to this, following the high court judgment, the office of the executive mayor immediately engaged with the office of the city manager in order to ascertain what decisions were made and their impact on service delivery, between the time that covered the illegal removal of the executive mayor to the time that the duly elected executive of Joburg resumed its duties.”
Dr. Phalatse added: “Over the coming days we will also be working to ensure that urgent matters, like the water and power crises, and that the safety and security of residents are attended to.
“While the legal battle for Joburg has been won, there are still political considerations that require my attention in order to further stabilise the City.
“I will therefore continue with engagements with political leaders to find a transparent and an organised agreement that keeps the corrupt out.
“This work will not come at the expense of the City’s core mandate – the delivery of quality basic services. On behalf of the Executive of Joburg,
“I would like to thank all 6 million residents, across the seven Regions, for their patience, prayers, and messages of support.”
Dr. Phalaste said the Joburg multi-party government was “back at work” with the repair and rebuild of Joburg.
“With residents and for residents, we will build a City of Golden Opportunities,” said the reinstated mayor.
