GOOD Statement by Lulama Benge,
GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor
10 January 2024
The GOOD party in Cape Town calls for the immediate suspension of Mayco member, Grant Twigg, as well as Executive Director Luzuko Mdunyelwa, for their role in the collapse of waste collection services across 300 informal settlements in the city.
According to an internal report, the pair opted to terminate external service providers last year and rather bring these services “in-house”, without any proper due diligence and despite not having the authority to do so.
This new model then not only collapsed the crucial services in the city but also led to staggeringly high costs for a failed project and subsequent legal action against the municipality.
GOOD has therefore today written to the Mayor and Speaker to demand that this report be tabled and that a special council meeting be called within seven days, in terms of Regulation 5 of the Local Government Regulations for senior managers and Regulation 6 in terms of precautionary suspensions.
The investigation into this massive failure and lack of due diligence must also be conducted speedily and thoroughly so that the necessary action can be taken, and stability restored in this area of service.
It is no surprise that in an attempt to save face, the Mayor has again failed to take immediate action and place one of his MMCs on suspension while this investigation is being undertaken.
His inconsistent action in these matters, such as in the cases with Cllr Malusi Booi and Cllr Zahid Badroodien, reflects the high costs of the internal power struggle in the DA. Now people must literally live in dirt because of the party’s dirty internal politics.
The Mayor and the Speaker must prioritise the city’s residents and urgently deal with this matter transparently and decisively.
If they cannot step up, then it is clear that they must step out.
Media Enquiries:
Lulama Benge, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor
Cell: 060 688 8384
Email: lulamab@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za