The ActionSA’s decision to oppose the suspension of Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler has intensified tensions within the ANC-led coalition, with some coalition partners now questioning where the party stands politically.
The fallout stems from Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya’s decision to table an in-committee report for council to consider Mettler’s precautionary suspension after coalition caucuses had reached consensus that the matter should proceed to council.
However, when councillors voted behind closed doors, Moya voted against suspending the city manager — a move that has now prompted fresh questions about ActionSA’s commitment to the governing coalition.
Africa Daily previously reported that sources said the ANC, the EFF and ActionSA had aligned behind taking the matter to council, although some members within ActionSA were understood to have reservations about the process.
Now, after ActionSA broke ranks during the vote, multiple coalition insiders say the party must decide whether it remains committed to coalition agreements or intends to chart its own political course ahead of next year’s local government elections.
“ActionSA must choose whether it is with the coalition or not,” one ANC insider said.
“The DA, as the opposition, we know where they stand. But it is ActionSA, a coalition partner, that seems confused because even internally they don’t appear aligned.”
Council ultimately resolved to place Mettler on precautionary suspension with full pay pending the outcome of an independent investigation.
Mettler’s suspension follows allegations raised by EFF councillor Obakeng Ramabodu, who accused the city manager of serious misconduct, financial misconduct, maladministration and gross dereliction of duty.
Among the allegations are claims relating to the appointment of former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Revo Spies to what Ramabodu described as a non-existent post within the Tshwane Metro Police Department, as well as allegations that Mettler suppressed a Special Investigating Unit report into the controversial Rooiwal wastewater treatment plant tender.
Spies previously testified before the Madlanga Commission, where he implicated now criminally charged EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi in alleged tender irregularities.
Moya said council had considered Mettler’s written representations submitted in response to the proposed suspension before taking its decision in terms of the Local Government: Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers.
“After considering the representations, together with the applicable legislative framework and the matters previously placed before Council, Council resolved to place the City Manager on precautionary suspension on full pay pending the outcome of the independent investigation,” Moya said.
She sought to reassure residents that the decision would not disrupt the functioning of the municipality.
“I want to assure residents that the administration remains stable and fully focused on delivering reliable services, maintaining the City’s financial stability, accelerating infrastructure investment and improving the quality of life of all those who live in our capital city.”
ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont later confirmed that the party had opposed Mettler’s suspension despite council ultimately approving the measure.
Explaining the party’s position, Beaumont said ActionSA believed a precautionary suspension was not justified because the allegations against Mettler related to matters that had already been investigated by institutions including the Auditor-General, the Public Protector and the courts.
ActionSA maintained that while the independent investigation should continue, there was no reasonable basis to conclude that Mettler posed a risk to the investigation or potential witnesses.
That position has now become the central source of tension within the coalition.
Another insider told Africa Daily the vote had fuelled uncertainty over ActionSA’s long-term role in the coalition, with some questioning whether Moya was exercising sufficient political independence or taking direct orders from her party’s national leadership when having to deal with these matters.
The source said Moya appeared increasingly caught between coalition expectations and her own party’s position.
“Remember when Mettler was hired, it was a recommendation of ActionSA so it stems from that. On the other hand, Nasiphi will never seem to be independent when having to take decisions. She seems to be caught in a political crossfire,” the source said.
The source added that coalition partners were expected to engage further in the coming days as they sought clarity on ActionSA’s position.
The source also described ActionSA’s conduct during the Mettler matter as increasingly difficult for coalition partners to understand.
“She’s become lukewarm and it’s not serving the interests of the coalition,” the source said, referring to Moya.
While Mettler intends to challenge his suspension in court, opposition parties have also sharply criticised Thursday’s proceedings.
The Democratic Alliance described Mettler’s suspension as unlawful, alleging the outcome was manipulated after votes had already been counted.
DA Tshwane caucus leader Cilliers Brink claimed the EFF motion had initially failed before the Speaker deducted 13 votes from several parties, including the DA, ultimately reversing the outcome.
“The DA believes today’s proceedings were a sham and fundamentally flawed,” Brink said, adding that the party was consulting its legal team.
The Freedom Front Plus has also challenged the suspension, announcing that it had approached the Public Protector to investigate both the process and circumstances that led to Mettler being placed on precautionary suspension.
The party said it was concerned that the motion may not have been based solely on administrative considerations.
“There is strong suspicion that the decision is politically motivated and linked to Mettler’s stance on certain tender processes currently under investigation by the Madlanga Commission,” said FF Plus caucus leader Grandi Theunissen.
The political divisions extended beyond Mettler.
Council also considered the disciplinary process involving Tshwane chief financial officer Gareth Mnisi.
Moya announced that council had resolved to institute disciplinary proceedings against Mnisi after considering a final forensic investigation, but found that the allegations constituted “less serious” misconduct under the applicable regulations, resulting in his suspension being lifted while disciplinary proceedings continue.
Another source said ActionSA’s position on Mnisi further illustrated the growing divisions within the coalition.
“Even in Mnisi’s case, we are at loggerheads. ActionSA wanted him out,” one source said.
Beaumont said the party had voted for the allegations against Mnisi to be classified as serious misconduct, arguing that the chief financial officer should have remained suspended pending a formal disciplinary process.
He further blamed the DA for failing to field its full caucus during Thursday’s council sitting, arguing that the opposition’s absence contributed to both the outcome of the Mettler vote and Mnisi’s return.
Africa Daily afforded ActionSA an opportunity to comment, but the party had not responded by the time of publication.