City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has been accused of allegedly working behind the scenes in a bid to appoint controversial Joburg Property Company (JPC) CEO, Helen Botes, as city manager following the departure of Floyd Brink earlier this month from the post.
In a statement issued by the Joburg Crisis Alliance, the alliance was deeply troubled by media reports suggesting that Morero was set to appoint Botes as Brink’s replacement.
The alliance said it was opposed to Botes due to her negative track record as JPC CEO.
“The Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) notes with profound concern recent media reports suggesting that the City of Joburg Mayor Dada Morero is allegedly hoping to install the controversial CEO of the Joburg City Property (JPC) Helen Botes as city manager following the departure of Floyd Brink earlier this month from the post.
“JCA since its establishment in 2023, has held the view that many crises that the city has been plagued with in recent years has resulted from a lack of leadership in both the political and administrative areas of the municipality.
“The many complexities of the COJ requires a city manager that has the competence to manage its R83 billion budget, who can serve the best interests of all its 5.5 million residents, restore ethical conduct among 40 000 staff members and within its 13 entities and manage the coalition dynamics in an accountable and transparent manner,” the alliance said on Sunday.
The JCA’s anger over Botes’ potential appointment stems from a Daily News article that implied several coalition government members disagreed with the mayor’s choice.
The Star’s sister publication said Morero’s plans to appoint Botes to occupy either the position of acting city manager or acting Chief Operating Officer are likely to be met with resistance from both within the ANC and other key parties in the city’s coalition government.
The controversy comes just weeks after the position was left vacant by Brink’s departure earlier this month following the decision of the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, which ruled that his appointment followed incorrect Council processes and that the position should be re-advertised.
Morero is empowered to pick an acting city manager while Council is in recess, and then seek ratification from Council at its first sitting.
However, the Daily News understands that coalition partners in the city have called for the appointment of city’s current Chief Operating Officer (COO) Tshepo Makola, who is also naturally next in line, to act as the city manager.
JCA said it wanted someone who was ethical and met the requirements to be considered as Brink’s replacement through a fair and transparent recruitment process.
“To meet the requirements of the position, a new recruitment process should be initiated as a matter of urgency by an independent executive recruitment agency. In the meantime, a senior city official, with an unblemished ethical record, and with no interest in a permanent position should act to oversee a compliant recruitment process.
“Should the council proceed to appoint a city manager that does not meet the needs of the people, it will mobilise its membership and other civil society partners to consider an appropriate response,” it said.
Responding to an inquiry from The Star on Monday, spokesperson for the mayor, Chris Vondo, said the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Council is undergoing its governance process in line and or within the spirit of the provisions of section 30(5)(c) of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act No. 117 of 1998, as amended inter alia to process in relation the Municipal Council the appointment of an acting city manager.
“Additionally, this process will be followed by the Municipal Council which has an obligation to then exercise its peremptory powers in terms of section 54A.(1)(b) the Local Government: Municipal Systems Amendment... Therefore, the City of Johannesburg will not be in a position to entertain and or comment on gossips and rumours that are being peddled to undermine governance process that are unfolding within the institution.”
Vondo said in spite of these rumours, the city remained committed to keeping its residents informed through its formal governance structures about the stabilisation that was under way, which he said, will be confirmed in due course.
The Star