DA Escalates Fight Against Tshwane Deputy Mayor Amid Council Deadlock

Tshwane’s political theatre has taken a dramatic turn. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has turned to both the police and AfriForum’s private prosecution unit in its bid to hold deputy mayor Eugene Modise accountable for allegedly failing to disclose interests in a municipal contract.

The allegations centre on Modise’s supposed benefit from a contract awarded to Triotic Protection Services, which DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink claims was not properly declared, potentially violating the Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

Council delays and political friction

While the DA frames the issue as a case of fraud and corruption, the council report at the heart of the matter recommended disciplinary measures, not criminal charges. Tshwane’s council instead voted to establish an ad hoc committee to review the report further, a move the DA calls a delaying tactic.

“The mayor has failed to act, shielding Modise despite his pivotal finance portfolio,” Brink said, highlighting the DA’s frustration with the ruling ANC and coalition partners.

Council spokesperson Sam Mgobozi defended the move, describing it as irregular and premature to proceed with disciplinary or legal action before the committee completed its review.

ActionSA steps in: process over politics

Adding another layer to the tussle, ActionSA argues that the DA has misrepresented the forensic report. National chair Michael Beaumont said the investigation focused narrowly on disclosure obligations under the Code of Conduct for Councillors, not corruption or fraud.

“Fraud requires deliberate misrepresentation, unlawful intent, and verified prejudice none of which the report found,” Beaumont said, accusing the DA of political opportunism.

ActionSA stressed that procedural correctness is key. They claim the council’s ad hoc committee system often buries accountability, yet the party is not defending Modise but rather defending due process.

AfriForum enters the fray

Frustrated by council inaction, the DA has outsourced accountability to AfriForum, whose private prosecutions unit is led by former NPA prosecutor Gerrie Nel.

Residents now watch a multi-front political battle: the DA pushing for criminal charges, ActionSA insisting on due process, and the ANC coalition holding the balance of power, all while the city’s governance challenges linger.

“Whether it’s a disclosure failure or fraud, the real trial is the council’s integrity,” ActionSA said. “Tshwane residents deserve outcomes based on verified facts, not partisan distortions.”

What this means for Tshwane residents

For the public, the saga exposes a governance crisis where political maneuvering delays accountability. Mayor Nasiphi Moya’s silence amplifies perceptions of impunity, while AfriForum’s involvement signals eroding trust in municipal oversight mechanisms.

As the city waits for decisive action, one thing is clear: Tshwane’s political drama is no longer confined to council chambers, it’s playing out in courts, boardrooms, and the public eye.

{Source: The Citizen}

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