Calls mount for resignation of Joburg MMC

Political parties and organisations are calling for Johannesburg MMC Sithembiso Zungu to resign from his position amid allegations of his involvement in the ‘construction mafia’.

The ANC councillor is accused of halting construction projects through coercion and extortion tied to his ward’s business forum.

News24 reported on allegations that Zungu coerced contractors into surrendering portions of project funds to businesses linked to the forum.

One school governing body member alleged that the forum is the main obstacle to development in Vlakfontein.

The Mayor appointed Zungu as MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services on 7 August, a position that the City of Johannesburg describes as “the nuts and bolts of the city’s administration.”

Both the Democratic Alliance and ActionSA have criticised Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero’s appointment of Zungu, with ActionSA accusing the mayor of “elevating the corrupt”.

ActionSA Johannesburg Caucus leader Marcel Coutriers said the party is deeply concerned that Zungu was appointed, despite having a prima facie case of corruption and extortion against him. 

The accusations against Zungu involve his tenure as ward 12 councillor and his association with Citydev Construction, involved in Johannesburg housing development.

ActionSA accused Zungu of having R400,000 deposited into his personal bank account through the company. He allegedly received the money as a “protection fee,” according to ActionSA. 

“We reject Mayor Morero’s reckless decision to elevate an individual clouded by allegations of corruption into a position of executive authority,” Coutriers said. 

Allegations of fraud against Zungu are not new. The Democratic Alliance called for his resignation before his promotion last month, when he still held the position of Chief Whip of Council.

“A witch hunt” – Zungu

The DA requested the resignation on the basis that the “highly disturbing” allegations against Zungu of being involved in the “construction mafia” demand an investigation. 

It is alleged that a R135 million school project was brought to a standstill as Zungu and his associates demanded the payment of so-called “facilitation fees”.

“It is clear that the ANC itself will not act on corruption allegations, so now, the City of Johannesburg’s executive must. An internal investigation must take place,” the party said. 

The Johannesburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) similarly shared concerns that the City of Johannesburg has shown a disregard for ethical and competent governance. 

The JCA voiced concerns about several appointments in the city, with Zungu among them. 

“Zungu is accused of being a “Construction Mafia” kingpin and of being sentenced to two months in prison by the Gauteng High Court in 2019,” the organisation said. 

The JCA called on Mayor Dada Morero to replace Zungu with a more suitable candidate to show a commitment to ethical leadership. 

Zungu has adamantly refuted all claims against him. 

“There is no credible, publicly available evidence that confirms I never received any payments from Citydev Construction during my tenure as Ward 12 Councillor in Lehae Phase 3,” Zungu said in an interview responding to the allegations.

He added that there is also no evidence to support the claim that he spent time in correctional services. 

He has described the charges against him as a “witch hunt” and points to the fact that there are no audit reports or financial documents to prove the charges. 

He said that he has fully cooperated with law enforcement, and an investigation has been completed by the Hawks and submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions. 

Zungu believes that this “fabrication” has been invented to tarnish his name, and is spearheaded by members within the ANC. 

ActionSA said that the party will be writing to the Hawks to further investigate these claims.

“In the interim, we call on Cllr Zungu to voluntarily step down from his MMC role and take the necessary steps to clear his name. Furthermore, we hold Mayor Morero responsible for deliberately appointing an individual facing such serious allegations,” said Coutriers.