Cape Town Mayor Patricia De Lille is expected to give reason why she should remain at the realm of power this week. De Lille has been given until Friday to give reason why the Democratic Alliance should keep her on as the Mayor of its most significant metro. Its been a on-going public spat between De Lille and the party as the DA prepares to usher in new leadership.
De Lille was suspended last year from all party related activities after allegations of maladministration had surfaced. Tension started after De Lille had decided to close down a special investigating unit. The City’s Mayco member, JP Smith, reported the matter to the DA. He is also suspended from all party activities.
De Lille is not only facing a tough battle with DA. She has also received backlash from City council and some Cape Town residents over her decision regarding the water levy which will be used to fund the City’s augmentation plans to assist the water crisis.
De Lille is also currently under investigation by a City law firm which was appointed by the council to probe allegations of corruption leveled against her.
De Lille, City urban development and transport commissioner Melissa Whitehead, as well as City manager Achmat Ebrahim were all investigated after Craig Kesson, director in De Lille’s office, claimed the three covered up corruption.
Kesson claimed that the corruption included an amount of R43 million. Whitehead admitted the City suffered losses from a MyCiTi syndicate, but that the amount was only R36 million.
Council decided that all officials involved should not be removed after considering their affidavits on the matter.
ACDP councillor Grant Haskin said it was concerning that the DA had given De Lille more time in the first place.
“We believe the City’s ratepayers and the business community urgently need finality on the future of Cape Town’s mayor.
“The DA cannot afford to let this drag out indefinitely because the city needs political leadership, especially on the water crisis.”