I am not captured by Mosola – Tshwane mayor

Mokgalapa said it was the leading opposition that had prevented Mosola’s suspension last year by not voting in council with the DA.

Stevens Mokgalapa, 18 February 2019, Pretoria. Picture: Jacques Nelles

Tshwane mayor Stevens Mokgalapa has denied being “captured” by city manager Moeketsi Mosola, telling The Citizen he owes no loyalty or allegiance to the administration head.

He has been accused of not acting against Mosola for irregularly handing a multimillion-rand tender to GladAfrica.

The auditor-general found Mosola went against supply chain management processes to award the contentious tender, and Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane announced Mosola ignored her remedial actions relating to several reports, including the PEU smartmeter contract.

Mosola appeared invincible last year when he survived three attempts to have him suspended.

According to the Tshwane Young Communist League’s (YCL) district secretary Kgabo Morifi, Mokgalapa was “captured by the city manager” as Mosola was backed by coalition ally EFF.

“That is why the former mayor Solly Msimanga was dealt with. He was problematising the city manager…

“The mayor should prove he is not captured by putting the ‘big man of corruption’ [Mosola] on suspension,” Morifi said.

Mokgalapa laughed off the accusations, denying being captured and passing the blame to the ANC for retaining Mosola.

He was not aware of any links between Mosola and the EFF, he told The Citizen yesterday.

“I am not captured. I have only been around for a week and Mosola wasn’t appointed by me. I found him in the system.

“I have no allegiance or loyalty to him. The only allegiance and loyalty I have is to the constitution and the rule of law,” he said. “I could not be captured when I came in and cleaned up the [GladAfrica] mess in a week…”

He said it was the leading opposition that had prevented Mosola’s suspension by not voting in council with the DA.

“They are just playing politics. I will hold the ANC to account once I finalise the process and bring the matter to council. I expect to get their support because they can’t be playing double standards. They are the ones who blocked this.”

Tshwane ANC head Kgosi Maepa said they would support Mosola’s suspension should the mayor bring a report to council based on the city manager’s role in any irregularities and corruption.

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