The newly formed United Progressive People Alliance (UPPA) has challenged the African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to demand greater accountability from City of Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya over allegations involving a company contracted by the municipality.
The allegations centre on claims that the company carried out renovations, including work on a swimming pool, at Moya’s private residence, as well as security upgrades at her home in the Eastern Cape.
UPPA says it is not enough for the two parties to condemn the allegations publicly while taking no further action.
“UPPA notes that both the African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have publicly condemned the allegations. We therefore call on both parties to go beyond condemnation and demonstrate their commitment to accountability by taking concrete action in the City of Tshwane Council,” said UPPA Tshwane mayoral candidate Abel Tau.
“If the ANC and EFF believe that these allegations warrant condemnation, then they must bring the matter formally before Council.”
Tau called on the parties to table a comprehensive report or motion before the Tshwane Council outlining the allegations, the company allegedly involved, the nature and value of the work undertaken, the contractual relationship between the company and the City, and all available evidence.
The ANC and EFF are coalition partners with ActionSA, Moya’s political party, in the City of Tshwane.
Tau, who previously served as the City’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for housing and briefly as acting mayor, said Moya should subject herself to scrutiny in line with her public stance on clean governance and accountability.
“UPPA therefore believes that the Mayor should welcome a full investigation rather than resist one. An independent investigation is the best way to establish the truth, protect the integrity of the office of the Executive Mayor and restore public confidence,” he said.
The City of Tshwane has faced ongoing concerns over irregular expenditure, governance and allegations involving political office-bearers. Moya has previously acknowledged that the City has hundreds of outstanding investigations and that criminal cases have emerged from investigations into reported incidents.
Tau said this made it even more important for allegations involving the City’s highest office to be handled transparently.
“The ANC and EFF cannot condemn alleged corruption when it suits them politically while failing to take the necessary steps,” he said.
The coalition government has previously faced allegations involving Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise, who was accused of benefiting from ongoing municipal tenders. The coalition parties have maintained a united public front.
The Democratic Alliance, the official opposition in Tshwane, however, claims tensions are growing within the coalition, with the ANC and EFF allegedly expressing dissatisfaction behind closed doors.
DA caucus leader Celliers Brink has accused the coalition of presenting a united front despite internal disagreements.
“It’s a coalition of chaos. They want you to believe that everything is okay, that they are united, but we know that the ANC and the EFF are not happy that their mayor is using municipal contractors at her private residence without paying,” Brink said.
He alleged that the coalition was attempting to defend Moya publicly while being embarrassed by the controversy.
Moya has previously faced scrutiny over a travel stipend. She admitted to Newsnote that she had received and spent up to R10,000 for a trip she ultimately did not undertake. She was subsequently required to sign an acknowledgement of debt and has been repaying the money in instalments.
The latest allegations have placed renewed focus on ActionSA and its commitment to accountability, particularly as the party has previously demanded greater transparency from other political office-bearers.
ActionSA founders Herman Mashaba and Michael Beaumont have defended Moya, who has denied any wrongdoing.
Moya is ActionSA’s mayoral candidate, a position she is expected to retain despite Brink’s efforts to use the controversy to undermine her ahead of the upcoming local government elections.