As mayor Mpho Phalatse delivers her maiden State of the City address (Soca) for Joburg, tensions between her and city manager Floyd Brink are high over the suspension of the city’s anti-corruption unit head, Shadrack Sibiya.
Sibiya, who is also the head of Johannesburg Group Forensic Investigation Services (GFIS), was suspended after controversies about him not being in possession of a clearance certificate from State Security to occupy his position and that due process was ignored during his appointment.
Sibiya is also accused of gathering intelligence by illegal means. Councillors have complained that a “rogue unit” is operational, where information is sourced illegally, phones are tapped and “foreign” stripping devices are used against councillors and staff who don’t agree with the DA.
The Star has seen a strongly worded letter from the mayor to the city manager in which she expresses her displeasure towards him. The letter also demands that Sibiya be reinstated despite the allegations he faces.
Sources close to both Brink and Phalatse told The Star that the two have had a rocky relationship, with Phalatse having tried to convince council that Brink was incompetent and even used reports that implicated Brink in misconduct.
The two have also had disagreements over the controversial sacking of 130 mostly black workers by the city.
The Star has learnt that interviews had been done for the position of city manager and that Phalatse allegedly had her favourite candidate bused in from the Western Cape. Brink had also applied for the same job.
“We wish to express our severe displeasure at your actions to launch an investigation and the withdrawal of delegations to the head of GFIS without consulting with us. We therefore call upon you to reinstate the delegations as a matter of urgency,“ Phalatse said in the letter.
The letter also reminds Brink of his duties as city manager, stating: “As city manager and accounting officer, you should be aware of your lines of accountability to the executive mayor and the role of the group audit committee over the entire governance process, and specifically the functions of Group Forensic Investigation Services.
“Your failure to consult is a serious matter, which illustrates your lack of understanding in-so-far as your powers are concerned.”
Speaking to The Star, Al-Jamah councillor Thapelo Amad accused Phalatse of operating a rogue unit with the machinery acquired from a Jewish company.
“This is the mayor’s new rogue unit. It’s designed for us the opposition,” Amad said.
The machine allegedly cost the city around R20 million and can listen to phone calls in close proximity and capture data which is sent through Bluetooth or via email.
A report seen by The Star details the establishment of a war room by the city with the mandate to provide cybercrime investigations and would investigate and intercept communication from phones, laptops, servers and CCTV equipment.
The war room would also have capability of real-time data and forensic analytics, the report says.
Responding to The Star’s questions, the mayor’s office said: “The executive mayor is focused on stabilising the administration of the city and delivering services, which means appointing a suitably qualified person to serve the residents of Joburg as city manager capacity. The personality behind the office of the city manager is not important, what is important is the culture and expertise that is brought to that office.”
Phalatse is expected to emphasise on the municipal tariff hikes which were expected to hit the city in June. The tariff increases are expected to be around 10% on water and electricity.