Johannesburg – City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba on Wednesday removed mayoral committee member for economic development, Sharon Peetz for “suspected misconduct”.

Peetz allegedly falsified a proof of payment to a travel agency to appear that she, and not the city, paid for a family member to accompany her on an official trip to Spain, Mashaba said in a statement on Wednesday evening. 

“Through her actions, it is my belief that councillor Peetz has misled myself, the council and the residents of Johannesburg.”

 He said a forensic investigation revealed that the payment is still outstanding to the travel agency and that the city has not suffered any monetary losses. 

Mashaba appointed Mpho Phalatse as acting mayoral committee member for economic development while a new candidate is considered.

 Peetz, a Democratic Alliance (DA) member, has been referred to the party for consideration of further disciplinary action in order to determine her culpability. 

She did not respond to messages from News24.

Mashaba said under his leadership the DA-run municipality would not tolerate such conduct, irrespective of political affiliation.

“A new era of accountability has dawned in the City of Johannesburg. Unfortunately, this has not yet removed the dishonesty that drives the actions of some individuals. It does, however, mean that wherever it is found, action will be taken and our residents will be informed and treated with the respect that they deserve,” he said.

Meanwhile, the African National Congress (ANC) has since called on Mashaba to step down, saying that although Peetz’s dismissal was long overdue, Mashaba’s act was an unimpressive publicity stunt.

They accused Mashaba of trying to cover for Peetz.

“[Mashaba] pretends to be a man of integrity yet he tried to cover up the story by agreeing with councillor Peetz to repay the money so that the matter could be laid to rest. We call on the mayor to also step down as he was part of a cover up mission to protect councillor Peetz,” the ANC said in a statement released on Thursday morning.

JOHANNESBURG – Various political parties and civil society organisations are placing the spotlight on racial tensions in South Africa, saying a new discourse is needed.

The ANC has released a statement, saying it is concerned about “seeds of racial discord” seen in a number of racially-charged incidents, including ongoing protests at Klipspruit Secondary School in Soweto over the appointment of a black principal, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)’s leader, Julius Malema making critical comments about South African Indians.

READ: Protest erupts in Klipspruit West over school principal

According to the ANC, a “broader discussion” is needed to “close the chasm of polarisation and discontent amongst all our nation groups.”

The South African Democratic Teacher’s Union (Sadtu) in Gauteng condemned the use of its name “as a scapegoat” to justify racist conduct In the Klipspruit saga.

Recently, a teacher at St John’s College in Johannesburg, who was found guilty of three serious charges, including racism, resigned, but only after a social media uproar over his actions and statements.

The school apologised to the students affected, their parents, the student body, all parents, staff, alumni and everyone else for the hurt caused.

READ: South African schools must do better

Malema remained defiant after he recently accused some Indians of racism and of exploiting black workers.

Following strong condemnation of his remarks, Malema said they were not meant to incite racism, but he refused to apologise.

Professor Melissa Steyn of the Wits Centre for Diversity Studies said the question around racism is one of social justice.

“… If we want to build a society that’s characterised by social justice, we have to build cross-cutting solidarities between people from different racial groups.

“So as a white person, I have to see it as my responsibility and something that affects me personally if somebody from another community is discriminated against… you really can build social justice. rather than appealing in a cross-cutting way.”

Prominent South Africans of Indian descent have taken to social media to ask for a nuanced discussion of race issues, where all parties interrogate their own biases and preconceived ideas.

Can the Indian community, take this moment that has been offered my Malema, and reflect on racism and business instead of laying charges

— Tasneem Essop (@TasneemEssop_) August 2, 2017

—-. Instead people are passing around selected sound clips of Malema’s speech to incite fear and a laager mentality — https://t.co/rC6ACagZy5

— Ranjeni Munusamy (@RanjeniM) August 2, 2017

My view on @Julius_S_Malema comments is that other than the issue of domination(which stats show is still white dominated) he 100% correct!

— Yusuf Peer (@YusufPeer1) August 2, 2017

Following the ANC National Policy Conference (NPC) earlier this year, National Executive Committee (NEC) member, Lindiwe Sisulu said social transformation is as important as economic transformation in South Africa.

The party was reporting back on its social transformation policy discussion document on the last day of the NPC.

READ – Social transformation as important as economic transformation says ANC

Recently, Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo said the PR company Bell Pottinger took advantage of the racial tensions in South Africa to advance its campaign for Gupta-owned Oakbay.

One of the Gupta brothers, Atul, however, said the family never asked Bell Pottinger, to spread the ideology of white monopoly capital.

eNCA