The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Wednesday served the City of Johannesburg with legal papers demanding an end to what it calls the ongoing violation of governance laws related to acting appointments in senior municipal positions.

The party said it would consider further legal action — including approaching the courts — if the City and Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Jacob Mamabolo do not act by Friday.

DA Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku explained that despite the DA raising concerns in Council, a resolution was passed on May 8 that attempted to retroactively approve and extend the acting terms of seven senior officials — including the acting city manager.

These appointments, she said had already exceeded the legal three-month limit and were now without any lawful basis.

“Under existing legislation, acting appointments can only last for three months unless extended once by the MEC under exceptional circumstances. No such justification exists in this case, and any continued occupation of these posts is both unlawful and unconstitutional,” she explained.

Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the City had had plenty of time to fill these positions permanently.

“…instead, we are seeing a pattern of ongoing delays and a total disregard for the rule of law. We urge the mayor, speaker, and MEC to correct the process, and uphold the principles of good governance,” she said.

Kayser-Echeozonjoku urged all affected officials to immediately step down from their positions unless a lawful appointment process was undertaken and the DA demanded that Mamabolo formally reject any attempt by Council to extend these expired acting roles.

“The DA stands for the rule of law, good governance and accountability. These types of failures are precisely why we have tabled a Motion of No Confidence in the executive mayor, Dada Morero,” she said.