The letter reiterates the DA’s position on the placement of its councillors in portfolio committees during a meeting on August 31. “During a special council sitting, the ANC tabled an item on the placement of councillors in portfolio committees and snuck in an addendum that imposed the placement and removal of council members on portfolio committees.

“It is unacceptable for the ANC, its whip in council, and the speaker to allocate DA councillors to portfolio committees as it deems fit on behalf of the DA,” said Portia Moropane, DA councillor in the MLM. “Imposing portfolio committees on DA councillors do not comply with the Municipal Structures Act 117 (79 & 80) and the rules of order. The DA, like any other party, is common practice in other municipalities, has the right to decide how and who it allocates to portfolio committees,” she said.

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She said that the failure to follow due process in appointing portfolio committee members has led to a situation where there is a lack of accountability in the municipality. “An example of this is that the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) that is meant to provide oversight over the ANC run municipality’s executive and ensure good governance, consists of three ANC councillors and one EFF councillor,” she said.

“We have previously written to the whip regarding this matter and the exclusion of DA members from being invited to portfolio committee meetings, but the matter has gone unresolved. It is no surprise that after almost a year, most of the portfolio committees are still non-functional,” she added. “If the issue of the portfolio committee allocations is not resolved soon through a multi-party whipper meeting that seeks to find an amicable solution, the DA will escalate the matter to the MEC for Coghsta.

“The DA will continue to reject the attempts by ANC to keep DA councillors out of critical committees as they seek to avoid accountability and transparency,” said Moropane. The Herald contacted MLM for comment. They said that they would not respond to the allegations. “The DA is part of the council and they know our reasons. If they have grievances, they should follow proper procedures,” said Nanki Hoaeane, acting municipal manager of MLM.