City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba said he wrote a letter to Gauteng Premier David Makhura, requesting removal of MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and COGTA, Lebogang Maile from oversight role in an ongoing investigation of Alexandra Renewal Project (ARP).
Mashaba said he requested the Premier to respond to his letter by Friday. He added that failing which he will take the matter to SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and Public Protector.
“The letter view the MEC’s dubious behavior and comments on the subject of the ARP investigations and numerous investigations that are currently being held by the City. They relate to the MEC Maile’s close relatives allegedly benefiting directly from the tainted ARP. Two weeks ago, MEC Maile publicly denied that any corruption had taken place during ARP and it is strange that the MEC would make such pronouncement while there are ongoing investigations. They are revealing concerned evidence of corruption that undermine efforts to bring development to the residents of Alexandra”, he said.
Mashaba added that Maile’s conduct at the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) inquiry into Alexandra on 23 July, did not only seemingly undermined the inquiry but also the Chapter 9 institutions holding the inquiry.
“SAHRC convened the inquiry to establish the whereabouts of the missing R1.3 billion meant for restoration of the iconic township. Maile acknowledged that his brother Mike Maile was one of the seven programme managers who handled the ARP. He complained that his elder brother was falsely implicated in the alleged misuse of funds meant for the ARP. It is also reckless to make such pronouncements which are still ongoing”, he said.
Mashaba added that challenges faced by residents in Alexandra are substantial and people of this township deserve answers as to what happened to the development, which was promised through the Alexandra Renewal Project.
“MEC is allowed to comment on or have oversight over any of these allegations”, he said.
