There is a way of words going on in the City of Tshwane between the DA’s Jacqui Uys and ActionSA’s Jackie Mathabathe.
The ensuing war centres around ActionSA’s reported intention to dump the DA as its partner in the City of Tshwane Coalition Government, and instead vote with parties like the ANC and the EFF for the removal of incumbent Mayor Cilliers Brink in a motion of no confidence.
The motion of no confidence is scheduled to be passed on 26 September.
In a letter released to the media at the weekend, Uys reminded Mathabathe of ActionSA’s obligations as gazetted in the City of Tshwane Coalition Government Agreement.
According to Uys’ letter, the agreement was signed by all leaders of parties that are currently represented in the City of Tshwane Coalition Government, including ActionSA, on 15 December 2021.
In the letter, Mathabathe is reminded that Section 1.16 states that no communication that could bring the Coalition into disrepute should be released by any party that is a signatory to the Coalition Agreement.
This is in reference to ActionSA’s statements that it was in an “abusive marriage” with the DA and also because there is no service delivery in the City Tshwane as the present coalition government served only affluent areas like suburbs.
“The signatories of this letter raise concern that ActionSA is in clear breach of this section with its current social media attacks on the Coalition,” wrote Uys.
Mathabathe is again reminded of Section1. 14 of the Agreement, which states that no party shall enter into any other coalition in the City of Tshwane which is inconsistent with the Coalition Agreement.
This is with reference to ActionSA’s well-publicised intention to enter into an alliance with the ANC and other opposition parties in the City of Tshwane chanvers and get rid of Mayor Brink.
According to Uys’ in the letter, Section 8.3 of the Coalition Agreement requires parties who wish to leave the Coalition to provide a reasonable time and notice of their intention to exit the agreement to the Coalition Oversight Group.
“In line with the requirement for a reasonable time regarding the 26 September 2024 Motion of No Confidence (MONC), we require ActionSA to give indication of their commitment to, or exit from the Coalition by midnight Sunday 7 September 2024,” wrote Uys.
It’s wore the said letter to Mathabathe in her capacity as Joint Caucus Chairperson of the Tshwane Multiparty Coalition.
In response to Uys’ letter, ActionSA’s Tshwane Caucus leader Jackie Mathabathe expressed disappointment for “the continued disrespect you (Uys) continue to demonstrate towards ActionSA.”
Mathabathe lamented suspicion that the letter was brought to the attention of ActionSA by a journalist who apparently received it long before it could be read by any of ActionSA’s office-bearers.
“This draws into question the bona fides you (Uys) attempt to achieve in your letter along with its artificial deference to our coalition government,” wrote Mathabathe.
“ActionSA will not respond to the points raised in your letter given the bad faith nature of providing it to the media while purporting to engage in good faith,” said Mathabathe.
Mathabathe insisted that the Tshwane motion of no confidence and exit from the Coalition Agreement are issues which are still under review.
“Accordingly, your request for confirmation of our position is premature and once again reveals the contempt with which you continue to treat the independent decision-making processes of ActionSA,” wrote Mathabathe.
He warned Uys to refrain from any further characterisation of ActionSA or attempts to gain moral high ground until the review process has been concluded.
The following letter is from Jacqui Uys Joint Caucus Chairperson
Multi-Party_Coalition_letter_to_Action_SA_leadership_Breach_of_coalition_5September[1]-1 (2)
The following letter is from Jackie Mathabathe ActioSA Caucus Leader