Tshwane city manager ‘grateful’ as EFF vows to appeal ruling after reinstatement

Suspended Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler. Picture: Neil McCartney Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler is playing his cards close to his chest after a court ordered him reinstated. Mettler said he was looking forward to returning to work immediately following a ruling by the High Court in Pretoria on Friday after he was suspended by a special council meeting three weeks ago.

“It was the most difficult thing to sit at home knowing that you belong at work,” he said. “These past three weeks were an experience that no competent, willing and able city manager must go through when you know that there is no reason for you to be at home and that the reason why you are at home is that the majority of the council made the wrong decision. “I am thankful and I am grateful for this judgement.

I want to take this council to the end of its term and continue the work we have started and complete it. “Tshwane is a reasonably well-run metro and we have reached significant milestones during this past period across the board.” Mettler said because there was an internal investigation underway, he didn’t want to comment on the allegations against him because he did not want to give his rivals any ammunition. “So, no comment from me at this stage regarding the allegations,” he said.

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DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink described the high court judgment not only as a victory for the DA, but also for the rule of law, good governance and the residents of Tshwane. “By setting aside the unlawful decisions of the ANC-EFF-ActionSA coalition to suspend Mettler, the court has reaffirmed that political majorities cannot ignore the law, manipulate council processes or use municipal institutions to protect politically connected individuals,” he said.

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