ActionSA swears in eight new Joburg Councillors after firing poor performers

ActionSA has successfully filled the eight vacant councillor seats in the Johannesburg Municipality after firing its public representatives for poor performance.

On Monday, eight new ActionSA councillors were sworn in at the Johannesburg Council Chambers.

READ: Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo officially sworn in as councillor

This move follows a decision in September this year when ActionSA dismissed 12 of its councillors across Gauteng’s three metros, citing their failure to meet key performance indicators.

The majority of the dismissed councillors were from Johannesburg, with eight being shown the door.

The eight fired councillors took the party to court, alleging unfair dismissal. However, ActionSA President Herman Mashaba has firmly stated the organisation has no space for underperforming public representatives.

“They are most welcome to take us to court, we have the right to defend ourselves. We have more than enough evidence of the consultation. Initially, they had this performance (issue) by May but the PEC (Provincial Executive Committee) and the REC (Regional Executive Committee) extended to June, July, and until September to say, ‘Guys, I’m afraid we can’t any longer. If you are not prepared to work for society but you expect society to pay your salaries, we are not an employment agency.’”

The attorney for the axed ActionSA councillors, Elmari Atterbury, confirmed they are still challenging the dismissals in court. Atterbury noted, however, that she is now representing six instead of the original eight councillors.

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