IFP brings no-confidence vote against speaker

The CoE is preparing for a second motion of no confidence against its speaker, the EFF’s Nthabiseng Tshivhenga, amid corruption activity allegations levelled against her.

The council has confirmed that its February 27 Ordinary Council Meeting agenda will include a motion of no confidence against Tshivhenga.

The IFP tabled the motion, arguing that Tshivhenga is failing in her role to keep order and the decorum of conduct in council, citing her failure to control a November fight between the DA and EFF during a formal sitting, resulting in the assault of some councillors.

Tshivhenga survived her first no-confidence vote last year after receiving backing from her party and the ANC.
The DA in Ekurhuleni has already indicated that it will vote in favour of the IFP-sponsored motion.

DA Ekurhuleni caucus leader Brandon Pretorius said, “On more than one occasion, Clr Tshivhenga has proved she is neither fit nor competent to hold the title of speaker.

“As the custodian of the council, she has allowed violence to ride roughshod over democracy, as highlighted by the recent Ethics Committee finding, which found her and several of her EFF colleagues guilty of violating the councillor’s code of conduct when they physically assaulted DA councillors during a sitting.

“She was also found to have been derelict in her duties by refusing to place the crucial election of finance chairperson on the agenda within the stipulated timeframe, jeopardising the city’s financial stability.

“Recent allegations of malfeasance, graft and potential fraud in her office only add weight to the argument that she should be removed from office.”

The Boksburg Advertiser understands that Tshivhenga also faces allegations of receiving kickbacks from service providers.
Her office had not yet responded to our request for comment.

SAPS
The CoE confirmed that a secretary in the speaker’s office was arrested in November after the EMPD concluded a preliminary investigation of fraud and corruption amounting to about R175 000.
“We can confirm that a case against an employee in the speaker’s office was opened and is now handled by the SAPS and the criminal court,” said CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.

However, he declined to comment on the allegations, saying the matter was handed to the SAPS and is being dealt with in court. Therefore, the police investigations will determine whether Tshivhenga indeed benefited from corruption.

EWN reported that allegations in an EMPD confidential report place the speaker at the centre of the fraud and corrupt activities involving kickbacks from service providers, who scored catering contracts for events her office hosted.
It is reported that the companies have allegedly been invoicing the city despite not rendering any service to it.

According to the EWN report, the accused employee allegedly admitted in an affidavit to using dishonest tactics, including forged signatures and documents, to convince the company to make payments into her personal bank account.

Also Read: Watch: Ekurhuleni mayor voted out, speaker survives motion of no confidence