ActionSA is surprised by a new book by Pauli van Wyk and Micah Reddy that compromises facts and fairness in pursuit of a political agenda, alleging that Herman Mashaba turned a blind eye to wrongdoing by the EFF in Johannesburg during his tenure as Mayor.
It is evident that the chapters in question relating to Mashaba were authored by Micah Reddy, given that the writing mirrors his style during his time at AmaBhungane, where questions and innuendo routinely formed the basis of allegations, with the word “allegedly” appearing in nearly every sentence to avoid legal consequence. In fact, no fewer than 22 phrases are used to limit liability in relation to Mashaba, framing accusations as the views of others or qualifying them as allegations rather than statements of fact for which the authors could be held accountable.
No effort was made by van Wyk or Reddy to obtain comment or a right of reply from either Mashaba or ActionSA, while it is clear that political opponents of ActionSA, both in the DA and the ANC, are relied upon as ‘credible’ sources. This comes as little surprise given the revelation that Micah Reddy is the brother of a long-serving DA staffer who previously served as Helen Zille’s spokesperson.
It is highly convenient that Mashaba, the only person standing in the way of Zille’s mayoral ambitions in Johannesburg, should be the subject of a baseless hatchet job co-authored by the direct relative of Zille’s former spokesperson. For a book that goes far out if its way to convict Mashaba using nothing but innuendo and supposition, this is a startling conflict of interest that has never been disclosed either at AmaBhungane or in this book with excerpts published by the Daily Maverick.
As far as facts are concerned, the book offers little of substance in relation to Mashaba. However, the following points can be addressed:
- The claim that Mashaba set up the minority coalition with the EFF is false. The DA established a negotiating team that did not include Mashaba, nor did he serve on the Federal Executive that deliberated on coalition proposals. When Mashaba learnt of the Federal Executive’s decision to enter into a coalition dependent on EFF support, he expressed reservations given the considerable policy differences between his views and those of the EFF. This is a simple fact that could easily have been established had a right of reply been afforded.
- Sicelo Xulu was not removed from City Power because of plans to replace him. He was the City Power CEO implicated in multiple forensic investigations, under whose leadership the massively discredited R2 billion smart meter contract with Vivian Reddy’s Edison Power Group was awarded. The removal of then DA MMC Anthony Still for failing to address efforts to remove the CEO was not a mark against Mashaba, as the book contends. It was clear evidence of Mashaba’s commitment to removing compromised senior officials in the City.
- The alleged possession of an email claiming that Mashaba informed the EFF of details about the incoming City Power CEO cannot be verified, as we have never seen it. Even if valid, it would not be irregular. It was perfectly normal for Mashaba to consult with leaders of coalition parties regarding appointments of senior officials in key service delivery departments. This was done with all coalition partners, including the EFF. The law makes such appointments a political process by requiring either council or mayoral committee approval, and no coalition leader would sensibly fail to engage coalition partners in this regard.
- On the claim that former Joburg Roads Agency (JRA) CEO Sean Phillips was not protected from overreach by the Board, this is simply a recycling of discredited allegations. Phillips raised with Mashaba that the JRA Board wanted greater involvement in tender processes. When Mashaba met with the Board, they insisted their interest lay only in information relating to tenders awarded, after the fact, in order to exercise their legal fiduciary duties as a Board. When Mashaba facilitated a meeting with both Phillips and the Board, Phillips refused to accept this outcome and resigned voluntarily before proceeding to malign Mashaba publicly.
The above are merely examples of the verifiable facts that refute the claims advanced by van Wyk and Reddy through innuendo, supposition, and loaded questions. The only evidence that objectively reflects Herman Mashaba’s legacy as the only Mayor who ever took Johannesburg forward is as follows:
- The largest-ever increase in the City’s customer satisfaction survey, rising from 61% to 73%.
- The establishment of Johannesburg’s first dedicated anti-corruption unit, led by a former Scorpion, which investigated more than 6 000 cases involving over R35 billion in transactions, resulting in more than 900 arrests and the dismissal of countless implicated officials.
- The highest-ever recorded increases in facilitated investment, growing from R4 billion in 2016 to R17 billion in 2019.
- The largest-ever expansion of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), with 1 500 additional officers, which delivered record levels of public confidence in the JMPD, reaching 75% approval ratings.
- The introduction of the City’s first extended-hours clinics, rolled out across 27 facilities, providing medical care after hours and on weekends, as well as the first publicly operated drug rehabilitation centres.
- A landmark inner-city rejuvenation project that awarded 139 properties to developers to build affordable housing, projected to generate R32 billion in investment, create more than 15 000 construction jobs, and deliver over 25 000 accommodation units.
- The redirection of more than R2 billion from travel, advertising, and consultants into infrastructure, resulting in fewer power outages, reduced water leaks and bursts, and the resurfacing of 900 km of roads.
These verifiable facts represent only a fraction of Mashaba’s achievements as the only Mayor who ever took Johannesburg forward. It is precisely for these achievements that Mashaba has been targeted by political opponents across the spectrum, whose own records in Johannesburg range from negligible and non-existent to outright failure.
Former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane made malicious findings against Mashaba which were overturned in the High Court at great expense. The DA has attempted to brand Mashaba as an “EFF Mayor”—the very slant adopted in this book, not so coincidentally —despite campaigning extensively on his achievements during the 2019 election. The ANC has also sought to reverse most of Mashaba’s reforms, including dismantling the anti-corruption unit and rescinding its reports.
It is regrettable that this new book has become a weapon of failed parties to advance their political interests in Johannesburg by attempting to tarnish the record of the only Mayor who demonstrably improved the City.
New Book Sacrifices Facts to Tarnish Mashaba’s Unimpeachable Anti-Corruption Record as Johannesburg Mayor
ActionSA is surprised by a new book by Pauli van Wyk and Micah Reddy that compromises facts and fairness in pursuit of a political agenda, alleging that Herman Mashaba turned a blind eye to wrongdoing by the EFF in Johannesburg during his tenure as Mayor.
It is evident that the chapters in question relating to Mashaba were authored by Micah Reddy, given that the writing mirrors his style during his time at AmaBhungane, where questions and innuendo routinely formed the basis of allegations, with the word “allegedly” appearing in nearly every sentence to avoid legal consequence. In fact, no fewer than 22 phrases are used to limit liability in relation to Mashaba, framing accusations as the views of others or qualifying them as allegations rather than statements of fact for which the authors could be held accountable.
No effort was made by van Wyk or Reddy to obtain comment or a right of reply from either Mashaba or ActionSA, while it is clear that political opponents of ActionSA, both in the DA and the ANC, are relied upon as ‘credible’ sources. This comes as little surprise given the revelation that Micah Reddy is the brother of a long-serving DA staffer who previously served as Helen Zille’s spokesperson.
It is highly convenient that Mashaba, the only person standing in the way of Zille’s mayoral ambitions in Johannesburg, should be the subject of a baseless hatchet job co-authored by the direct relative of Zille’s former spokesperson. For a book that goes far out if its way to convict Mashaba using nothing but innuendo and supposition, this is a startling conflict of interest that has never been disclosed either at AmaBhungane or in this book with excerpts published by the Daily Maverick.
As far as facts are concerned, the book offers little of substance in relation to Mashaba. However, the following points can be addressed:
The above are merely examples of the verifiable facts that refute the claims advanced by van Wyk and Reddy through innuendo, supposition, and loaded questions. The only evidence that objectively reflects Herman Mashaba’s legacy as the only Mayor who ever took Johannesburg forward is as follows:
These verifiable facts represent only a fraction of Mashaba’s achievements as the only Mayor who ever took Johannesburg forward. It is precisely for these achievements that Mashaba has been targeted by political opponents across the spectrum, whose own records in Johannesburg range from negligible and non-existent to outright failure.
Former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane made malicious findings against Mashaba which were overturned in the High Court at great expense. The DA has attempted to brand Mashaba as an “EFF Mayor”—the very slant adopted in this book, not so coincidentally —despite campaigning extensively on his achievements during the 2019 election. The ANC has also sought to reverse most of Mashaba’s reforms, including dismantling the anti-corruption unit and rescinding its reports.
It is regrettable that this new book has become a weapon of failed parties to advance their political interests in Johannesburg by attempting to tarnish the record of the only Mayor who demonstrably improved the City.