By Johnathan Paoli
The DA has slammed the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) board’s decision to retain two Chief Executive Officers simultaneously, calling it a blatant attempt by the ANC to entrench its “cadre deployment network” within city institutions.
In a statement on Sunday, DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku described the arrangement as “deeply troubling” and “a clear abuse of governance structures for political ends.”
“It’s becoming painfully clear that the ANC’s internal factional battles in Johannesburg are spilling over into City governance structures, using governance institutions as pawns in a much larger political game,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said.
“Johannesburg deserves better. JPC doesn’t need two CEOs, it needs accountability, transparency, and good governance. The DA will not stay silent while ANC cadres continue to manipulate City institutions to serve their internal factional battles.”
The party says it has obtained documents confirming that the JPC board extended former CEO Helen Botes’s contract by one month, despite her term officially ending in September 2024.
At the same meeting, the board also approved a three-month extension for acting CEO Musah Makhunga.
“The DA has seen documentation revealing that the JPC board, read ANC cadres, resolved to retain both individuals in executive roles. This raises serious red flags and cannot be ignored,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said.
Adding to the controversy, the DA has pointed to what it calls a “disturbing silence” from Johannesburg’s Group Governance unit, which it claims failed to alert either the board chair or the shareholder (the City of Johannesburg) to this irregular dual appointment.
“This blatant lack of transparency and procedural irregularity is unacceptable,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said.
The opposition party also linked this development to ongoing legal concerns involving Botes.
The DA said it previously raised red flags about her reappointment and has laid a criminal complaint for corruption, which the Hawks have since referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
According to the caucus leader, the move is part of a broader political strategy to reshuffle loyal ANC cadres into critical posts amid growing instability and allegations of maladministration.
“The Executive Mayor, Dada Morero, allegedly intervened to keep Ms Botes in a senior role, while the current CEO of City Power faces possible suspension due to mounting investigations,” the statement reads.
The DA contends that the city is being turned into a political battleground for ANC factionalism.
“It is becoming painfully clear that the ANC’s internal battles are spilling into governance structures, treating public institutions as pawns in a much larger political chess game,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said.
In response to these developments, the DA has formally written to Morero, attaching what it claims is irrefutable documentation of the irregularity.
The party has demanded the immediate reversal of what it calls an “unlawful arrangement.”
Furthermore, the DA has escalated the issue to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), asking for direct intervention.
Kayser-Echeozonjoku reminded residents that the DA has, over the years, warned of “unlawful and irregular appointments” across several City of Johannesburg entities.
According to the DA, the city cannot afford this level of governance instability at a time when basic service delivery remains under strain.
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