Mashaba removes Joburg MMC of finance

The city's mayor, Herman Mashaba, says he decided to remove Dagada from his position after allegations of undue influence over tenders and nepotism surfaced.

A forensic investigation was instituted, which found prima facie evidence that Dagada had been involved in price fixing with a service provider.

Dagada had allegedly unduly influenced city officials to authorise fraudulent procurement deals.  

Mashaba says a disciplinary action by the Democratic Alliance's (DA) party federal legal commission has been initiated. Criminal charges could also be laid against Dagada.

"Well absolutely, without any doubt. I have now this morning reported it to the ethics committee and in consultation with them, if we find there is a reason for criminal charges which right now as far as I am concerned there is sufficient evidence."

Mashaba says Dagada will be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations against him. 

"Let's give the MMC an opportunity before we go into the details over the alleged price fixing. The MMC will be given an opportunity at the city's ethics committee. I would like to request that we respect this matter."

Dagada has since taken to Twitter to deny the claims.

"I have subjected to unrelenting witch-hunt to remove me from the Mayoral Committee and to kill my political career," Dagada wrote.