Tshwane council resorts to a special committee to give clarity on councillors’ “long sick leaves”
This as issues of long sick leaves taken by councillors also landed at the Public Protector's office and police for investigation as the ANC claimed councillors were being “paid without doing their work”.
Tshwane council has turned to a special leave committee to give clarity on “long sick leaves” as they claim residents suffer while councillors are placed on sick leave.
Issues over long sick leaves were at the heart of a heated debate at the council, last week Thursday.
EFF and ANC councillors raised concerns over the ability of councillors to serve their communities when facing medical issues seeing them placed on sick leave for long periods.
The four-month leave of DA councillor Johan Welmans (ward 99 Cullinan and Refilwe areas) who was placed on leave since November sparked the debate with ANC and EFF councillors calling for his resignation.
DA Chief whip Christo van Heeden described Welmans’ medical condition as serious and pleaded with councillors to have empathy.
ANC Johnny Mohlala said Welmans’ medical condition placed the council in a difficult situation as his position was now “vacant”.
Mohlala said although he believed there was a need to be empathetic with the councillor on leave, the council’s code of conduct over councillors’ availability placed pressure on them.
“I would be glad if the council can put us at ease to know of the duration of the leave, or when it will end because right now it is not clear.”
ANC chief whip Aaron Maluleke said the council should take a stance of an allowed sick leave period.
“Welman’s is not in a position to work and serve the people in his ward and he must resign. He cannot set his foot in his ward or council and serve people. We are denying the community the opportunity to be represented,” Maluleke said.
“An acting councillor has a prescribed time [of sick leave] and cannot run over due to this. The community is up in arms and their issues need to be addressed.”
Tshwane MMC for community and social development services Thabisile Vilakazi said Welman’s was treated unfairly.
She said several councillors had been sick for months close to a year and the council understood their situation.
“The point that I am trying to make is that Welmans is going through something that others have gone through as councillors.”
Council speaker Katlego Mathebe ruled for the complaints to be tabled at the metro’s special committee on leaves to decide on the matter.
This also became a legal debacle as the ANC opened a case of fraud and corruption in February against Welmans and Ernst Botha for “wrongful payments received without doing their work”.
ANC also reported the matter to the public protector. ANC chairperson Kgosi Maepa alleged the two were no longer residing or operating in Tshwane, “violating the electoral act while also not working but getting paid”.
Previously, the DA did report that Welman’s was in the Western Cape receiving medical treatment but was still able to serve his community.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
