Cloud of fraud accusations hangs over elected deputy mayor as opposition parties sour over appointment

Opposition parties have been left with a sour taste in their mouths following Tshwane’s deputy mayor having been elected unopposed on Thursday, January 18.

Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink maintained that the newly-elected Deputy Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya was voted into the position to help stabilise the coalition government.

Moya is the first-ever elected Tshwane deputy mayor from ActionSA.

Addressing the council, Moya said she would ensure financial management, improve service delivery and support Tshwane staffers.

“As we continue to represent our respective wards and communities, I urge you (councillors) to lean on me for support and collaboration.”

In council, the opposition parties however were not convinced by her speech to lay their political differences aside as they further levelled fraud allegations against Moya.

Moya is alleged to have misappropriated funds of about R10 000 intended as a substance and travel allowance regarding a work trip to West Asia in 2020, according to the EFF.

EFF Tshwane regional chairperson Obakeng Ramabodu argued that the deputy mayor role would impose fiscal strain on the municipal budget that was already under pressure.

“The resources earmarked for this role would be better allocated towards addressing urgent needs such as enhancing service delivery, developing infrastructure, and implementing social advancement initiatives.

“This is the municipality that has accrued significant debt to Eskom due to its inability to efficiently manage revenue collection, electricity distribution, municipal administration, and payments to creditors.”

He said the EFF in Tshwane urged Action SA and the DA to place the welfare of workers and the community before political manoeuvring.

Ramabodu levelled allegations at the deputy mayor for committing fraud over a trip to Saudi Arabia which she allegedly did not attend.

He alleged the trip amounted to about R65 000, which only two officials attended, with Moya cancelling despite being handed R10 000 as an allowance.

According to Ramaboudu, Moya had served as Group head of Chief of Staff during the mayoral tenure of Stevens Mokgalapa.

The Tshwane metropolitan was yet to comment regarding the fraud allegations levelled against the new deputy mayor and whether there was any investigation occurring.

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The EFF walked away from voting at the special council meeting.

ANC Tshwane spokesperson Bafuze Yabo said the party was disappointed with the palace politics of the DA-led coalition government in Tshwane.

Yabo said the DA had openly stated that Tshwane’s workforce is bloated and should be downsized through systematic dismissals, early retirement and retrenchments.

He said the election of the deputy mayor was disappointing, given that workers had been speedily dismissed in 2023 due to strike action after they had been clashing over increments.

Yabo said it was also insensitive by the DA to move to elect a deputy mayor in the face of Tshwane struggling to stay financially afloat.

“Tshwane has had to stagger the payment of workers’ bonuses over a few months due to serious financial constraints. It is unable to pay Eskom and Rand Water for failing to deliver services. Waste stays uncollected for long periods, sanitation runs in the streets daily, water meters leak, pipe bursts are not attended to on time, and power outages not linked to load-shedding are commonplace. Yet the leadership of the City prioritises a “mavuso” arrangement, adding a burden on the City’s fiscus,” Yabo said.

“The ANC Greater Tshwane Region rejected this “nika-nika” arrangement in favour of the real priorities that the City’s administration should be seized with.”

The Xiluva party’s Tshwane regional coordinator Norman Mohale said they noted ActionSA’s Deputy Mayor.

“The residents of Tshwane must also know that ActionSA lacks the necessary talent and capacity to lead them and had to bring in an external person to help them.”

The deputy mayor position was elected through Section 55 of the Municipal Structures Act and required the dissolution of an MMC position to make space for a deputy mayor.

The deputy mayor will cost about R65 792 more than a member of the mayoral committee (MMC) currently at around R1.7-million per annum.

Financial implications of the post:
– two four/five-seater 4-door sedans valued at R1-million each
– salary of R422 611 each for four council members
– a clothing allowance of R15 000 each for four council members.

The deputy mayor may not be dismissed by the mayor, but rather by the council.

The deputy mayor role entails:
– controls the levers of Tshwane’s power if the first citizen is absent or not available.
– may also issue further powers and functions.
– may dismiss any of the MMCs.

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