Johannesburg — The City of Joburg has approved the appointment of the metro’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Tshepo Makola as the acting City Mnanager, replacing the outgoing Floyd Brink.
The decision followed a council meeting held at the Johannesburg City Council Chamber on Friday. Of the 242 councillors present, 139 voted in favour of Makola, 60 opposed, 41 abstained, and two did not participate, according to IOL.
The appointment sparked mixed reactions from political parties. ActionSA opposed it, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor, Sepetlele Raseruthe, joked that the council was being run “through the courts.”
African National Congress (ANC) councillor Tefo Raphadu criticised the Democratic Alliance (DA), accusing it of trying to score “cheap political points.”
“Their actions are a clear indication that their priorities lie elsewhere,” Raphadu said, adding that the ANC prioritises the interests of Joburg residents.
According to TimesLIVE, DA councillor Alex Christians opposed the appointment, arguing that due process was not followed.
“The DA will reject this report because we are again failing to follow processes in this council. We are tired of wasting taxpayers’ money by going to the courts because you fail to follow the law,” Christians said.
🚨 The ANC-ActionSA-EFF coalition has once again disregarded the rule of law in Joburg! The appointment of Tshepo Makola as Acting City Manager is irregular and violates the Municipal Systems Act. The DA will not stand for this blatant misconduct.
🔗 Read more:… pic.twitter.com/VQEZVjxa6T
— DA Joburg Caucus (@DA_JHB) January 17, 2025
Group Corporate and Shared Services MMC Loyiso Masuku defended the decision, stating that Mayor Dada Morero acted within his rights.
“We abided by the court’s decision. Council delegations approved on June 13, 2013, allow the responsibility for appointing an acting city manager to be delegated to the mayor,” Masuku explained.
Meanwhile, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) councillor Ronald Harris welcomed Makola’s appointment and urged him to prioritise stability in his new role.
“The assignment should be to provide critical stability to the legislative arm of the city. Avoid politicising the office, operating in silos, or partaking in turf wars,” Harris advised.
The Democratic Alliance remained firm in its objections. DA councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku argued that Makola’s appointment violated the Municipal Systems Act, which requires council approval for such positions, a statement read.
“Mr Makola has been illegally acting as the City Manager since 27 December 2024, until today’s council approval,” she said.
The DA has written to the speaker and the Gauteng MEC of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), demanding accountability for what it described as a disregard for the rule of law.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
