Concerns grow as ANC seeks to oust Tshwane City Manager Johann Mettler

The Freedom Front Plus in Tshwane has raised concerns over the ANC's plans to remove City Manager Johann Mettler from office, warning that it could destabilise the Metro's administration.

This comes after the ANC announced its intention to request Speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana to convene a special council meeting to debate the validity of Mettler's appointment.

The ANC's bid to remove Mettler is based on three primary grounds, which include an alleged lack of qualifications at the time of his 2022 appointment, irregularities in the selection panel's composition, and failure to attain the required minimum competency levels within the 18-month period ending February 28, 2024.

FF Plus councillor Grandi Theunissen said his party has taken note of the ANC's plans and claimed that the attempt to remove Mettler is a 'thinly veiled effort to pave the way for ANC and EFF cadres'.

“It is a calculated strategy to remove honest administrators and replace them with individuals who can be controlled. This politically motivated campaign has escalated into an attempt to reinstate five senior officials linked to tender fraud,” he said.

The ANC and EFF had previously denied allegations that they sought to replace Mettler with their own loyalists, claiming their efforts were aimed at promoting clean governance and zero tolerance for wrongdoing.

The five officials in question are central to the controversy surrounding the irregularly awarded tender to the consortium consisting of Blackhead Consulting, NJR Projects, and CMS Water Engineering, linked to businessman Edwin Sodi. 

The tender was terminated in August 2022 due to substantial problems and delays with the quality of work.

Theunissen warned that attempting to reinstate the suspended officials would compromise legal processes and evidence integrity, while also sending a message of impunity. 

He claimed that Mettler and his managerial team are the sole obstacles to efforts aimed at destabilising the Metro's administrative order and integrity.

"The FF Plus is calling on all stakeholders to oppose the attempt to capture the Metro through all conceivable legal means.

"We will always stand for what is right, while striving to establish a coalition that prioritises Tshwane residents," Theunissen said.

The DA has also come to Mettler's defence, announcing plans to consult with lawyers to counter the move and calling on Mayor Nasiphi Moya to clarify her position on the latest attempt to oust Mettler.

Mettler recently stated that the council would ultimately have to make a decision regarding his employment, based on investigation, facts, and fairness, following due process.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za