Johannesburg City Manager Floyd Brink is facing demands from the Democratic Alliance (DA) to step aside while the South Gauteng High Court deliberates on his appointment. The DA took the City of Johannesburg to court, arguing that Brink’s appointment was illegal. The matter was heard on Wednesday.
Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, the DA Johannesburg caucus leader, expressed concerns that Brink could potentially tamper with evidence and witnesses if he remains in his position during the court proceedings. She questioned why an acting city manager was not appointed while the matter is being dealt with.
Kayser-Echeozonjoku also criticized the Government of Local Unity (GLU), led by proxy Al-Jama-ah mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, for ignoring a court order that declared Brink’s appointment illegal. She revealed that the DA is challenging the City of Johannesburg for the second time regarding the appointment of the city manager.
Expressing her disbelief at the contempt of court displayed by the GLU, Kayser-Echeozonjoku stated that it is unacceptable for such actions to occur in a prominent metro like Johannesburg, which is responsible for South Africa’s economic heart. Despite a High Court ruling in November 2023 that deemed the original appointment unlawful, unconstitutional, and set aside, the GLU reinstated Brink instead of following a fair and transparent process to fill the position.
Kayser-Echeozonjoku criticized the coalition for prioritizing the defense of one individual, Floyd Brink, at the expense of service delivery. She highlighted the collapsing state of services in Johannesburg and recent reports of service providers not being paid. The DA leader vowed to stand up for the residents of Johannesburg and ensure they are not disrespected in this manner.
While the timeline for the court’s judgment remains unclear, Kayser-Echeozonjoku emphasized that the DA will closely monitor the matter. She expressed optimism despite the City’s attacks against the independence of the Judiciary, looking forward to a ruling on the case.
Attempts to obtain comments from the City of Johannesburg regarding the matter were unsuccessful at the time of writing. Any response from the City will be promptly updated in this article.
In conclusion, the DA in Johannesburg is demanding that City Manager Floyd Brink step aside while the South Gauteng High Court deliberates on his appointment. The DA has taken the City of Johannesburg to court, arguing that Brink’s appointment was illegal. The DA claims that Brink’s presence could potentially interfere with the evidence and witnesses involved in the case. The appointment of Brink has also raised concerns about flouting court orders and the collapsing state of service delivery in Johannesburg. The DA awaits the court’s ruling on the matter and vows to uphold the rights of the city’s residents.
