City and province clash over Midrand licensing centre visit
City of Johannesburg’s Public Safety MMC Dr Mgcini Tshwaku has hit back at Gauteng MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela after her surprise visit to the Midrand licensing centre this week, accusing her of misleading the public and disrespecting staff.
Tensions have flared between the City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport following an unannounced visit by MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela to the Midrand licensing centre on October 9.
City of Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety Dr Mgcini Tshwaku has strongly condemned what he describes as misleading information shared by Diale-Tlabela after she visited the centre.
Diale-Tlabela stated that the unannounced oversight inspection formed part of ongoing infrastructure and service monitoring within Gauteng’s central corridor.
Read more: MEC uncovers irregularities during surprise visit to Midrand licensing centre
She was accompanied by portfolio committee on transport and logistics chairperson Greg Schneemann and the department’s head, Dr Thulani Mdadane.
In a statement released after the visit, the MEC stated that they identified the presence of: “So-called ‘runners’, including an undocumented foreign national who was allegedly facilitating services for other undocumented individuals.”
She further indicated plans to engage the city on the future of the centre to ensure accountability. However, Tshwaku hit back the following day after conducting his own inspection at the Midrand licensing centre.
He said operations at the facility were running smoothly and that staff were committed and professional.
“This visit [by the MEC] was conducted in a manner that disregarded the spirit of co-operative intergovernmental relations, which are fundamental to the effective functioning of South Africa’s three spheres of government.
During the visit, the MEC displayed unprofessional and unacceptable behaviour, including insulting staff – from senior officials to cleaning personnel – and making baseless accusations of fraud and theft.
Such conduct undermines the dignity of hardworking employees who ensure the efficient operation of the Midrand licensing centre.”
Tshwaku reiterated that the facility is owned and managed by the City of Johannesburg under the Public Safety Department and that allegations of mismanagement are unfounded and appear to be part of a broader agenda to discredit the city’s operations.
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He further accused the provincial department of attempting to interfere with the city’s operations, alleging that the MEC is under pressure to close the Midrand licensing centre and transfer its functions to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
Diale-Tlabela had commended the RTMC and the Department of Home Affairs Anti-Fraud Unit for their swift intervention at the centre.
“This pattern of interference, including the refusal to sign service level agreements and issue disposal notices for outdated documents, amounts to deliberate sabotage of the city’s public safety licensing operations,” said Tshwaku.
The MMC called on the MEC to retract what he termed as baseless accusations, apologise to staff, and work collaboratively with the city in the spirit of co-operative governance.
“We remain committed to delivering efficient, transparent, and professional services to the residents of Johannesburg and will not allow external pressures to undermine our mandate.”
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