PICS: EFF storms Msimanga’s mayoral meeting

The EFF was demanding that Marietta Aucamp, the chief of staff for the mayor, be removed immediately.

Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga is seen reacting to EFF members that disrupted a meeting with officials in protest at former chief of staff Marietha Aucamp’s employment, 16 May 2018, Tshwane House, Pretoria. Picture: Jacques Nelles

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) stopped a mayoral committee meeting in Tshwane earlier today, demanding the removal of the chief of staff, claiming she was appointed, and improperly to boot, because she is white.

Her defenders, however, have claimed that Aucamp has extensive experience in the DA and administratively.

Aucamp is alleged to have landed the R1.2 million-per-year position without the requisite qualifications.

Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga is seen reacting to the EFF members that disrupted a meeting with officials in protest at the chief of staff Marietha Aucamp’s employment. She has been put on special leave amid allegations around her qualifications, 16 May 2018, Tshwane House, Pretoria. Picture: Jacques Nelles

The EFF members interrupted the committee meeting chaired by Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga on Wednesday morning to ask him about the allegations around Aucamp’s appointment, forcing the mayoral committee meeting to come to a standstill.

One member of the EFF could be seen asking why the chief of staff was hired and what distinguished her from other individuals.

“Black people out there are not hired because they do not have the specific qualifications. Why is this person so distinctive to deserve a R1.2 million pay salary per year … without nothing … without a degree… because of the colour of her skin? We are not going to tolerate that.”

Msimanga replied that a full investigation into the matter would determine what happened “so that we are then able to correct it”.

Msimanga later confirmed the chief of staff was put on special leave, pending the investigation.

According to reports from the Mail & Guardian and News24, Aucamp was prompted to submit her academic qualifications, but could reportedly only come up with a matric certificate.