‘Outgoing mayor must still account for Tshwane collapse’ – parties react to surprise resignation

Some Tshwane political parties were caught off guard by the Tshwane mayor Randall William’s resignation this week.

Williams, who had been at the helm of the metro since October 2020, announced on Monday he will officially leave his post on February 28.

MMC for Finance Peter Sutton is positioned to take on the position of acting mayor.

Two major issues that plague William’s tenure include the recent Auditor-General audit report and accusations of “undue political influence” to have an unsolicited offer of R48.6-billion from an Australian energy service provider, Kratos Energy, for refurbishment, operation and maintenance of the Pretoria West and Rooiwal power substations.

National chairperson at ActionSA Michael Beaumont said, “This resignation took us by surprise”.

Beaumont said ActionSA was aware that political consequences were required in line with the AG’s report, the Kratos power deal, the Rooiwal wastewater treatment plant and other important service delivery issues.

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ANC regional spokesperson Bafuze Yabo said it welcomed the resignation.

“Williams’ tenure was plagued by corruption, maladministration and lack of service delivery. His resignation was long overdue.”

Yabo alleged that Williams was running away from answering the AG finding, lack of service delivery and staff morale.

“Williams took a dive as he learned of an impending motion of no confidence against him, prepared by minority parties, some under the Tshwane coalition government.”

He claimed that the DA had prioritised itself and not the residents of Tshwane for eight years.

He further called for the dismantling and reconfiguration of the multi-party coalition.

LISTEN:

https://soundcloud.com/thato-mahope/anc-gtr-reaction-on-the-resignation-of-cot-executive-mayor-cllr-randall-williams?si=bd5d1f81566f40d7b777257cafd1aa65&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Outgoing Williams said last week he was going nowhere after EFF leader Julius Malema called for his removal.

This was as Williams’ chief of staff said the mayor was ready to battle a motion of no confidence should one be brought before him.

Malema took to social media last week to call for Williams’ removal after residents experienced a string of problems including a lack of service delivery.

“There is a chaotic and disastrous situation in Tshwane. The DA’s failure to deliver on basic responsibilities has a huge negative impact on our people,” said Malema.

TSHWANE EFF WELCOME THE LONG OVERDUE RESIGNATION OF CORRUPT, INCOMPETENT, USELESS DA MEMBER RANDAL WILLIAMS. pic.twitter.com/DWUgHMtoy0

— EFF Tshwane Region (@TshwaneEff) February 13, 2023

UAT Party Leader Abel Tau and former DA and ActionSA member said, “I’ve always believed that the ghost mayor was never a perfect fit for the metro”.

“The metro owes millions to Eskom, it can’t pay service providers and all of these are Randall Williams’ legacy.”

He said Williams would be remembered as a man that collapsed Tshwane.

ALSO READ: LISTEN: Tshwane mayor resigns

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