How Sasa failed to bring back Brink

Sifiso Mahlangu

THE ANC’s Joburg regional executive committee’s bold decision to suspend regional secretary Sasabona Manganye is still on the table. Manganye, known as “comrade Sasa” is said to be processed at the committee’s next sitting.

Despite the ANC’s attempts for the party’s renewal, allegations of unethical behaviour continue to haunt its internal structures. Manganye is said to be scheduled to be processed at the next sitting. Despite the ANC’s attempts for the party’s renewal, allegations of unethical behaviour continue to haunt its internal structures. Disciplinary measures follow serious charges against Manganye, namely: misrepresentation and bringing the organisation into disrepute.

His actions in approaching the coalition's Political Management Committee (PMC) regarding the ousted Johannesburg City Manager, Floyd Brink, were seen as defiant and counterproductive. After the court ruling that deemed Brink’s reappointment as unconstitutional, the City was expected to comply with the judgment. However, The Times reported that Manganye, contrary to the REC’s directive, sought to lobby for an appeal through the PMC, which was a direct challenge to the REC’s authority. 

This disregard for party structures and decisions was emblematic of a deeper problem within the ANC, particularly the Joburg branch. Although the REC had already decided not to challenge the court’s ruling on Brink, Manganye's actions suggested a disregard for collective decision-making in favour of what seemed like a personal agenda.

 Even more concerning, his behaviour undermined the efforts of the very structures designed to ensure discipline and transparency within the party. Despite the High Court ruling and legal advice against appealing Brink’s case, Manganye continued to push for an alternate course, hoping the political management committee might force the REC to reconsider. The defiance created tension, with the REC insiders accusing Manganye of undermining party leadership and working against the collective interest.

 Manganye is accused of manipulating meetings, including deliberately sending out conflicting virtual links and holding meetings at inconvenient times. The situation escalated further when Manganye staged a walkout during the meeting where the REC discussed his suspension. This tantrum, coupled with his earlier efforts to allegedly sabotage proceedings, led to an additional charge of misconduct being levelled against him.

The chairperson, Dada Morero, was forced to chair the meeting remotely as Manganye’s disruptive behaviour created a rift within the leadership ranks. His actions did not go unnoticed, as members of the REC, including prominent figures such as Eunice Mgcina and Simon Motha, stormed out in protest, signalling their displeasure with Manganye’s conduct. As the meeting ended, the REC voted to suspend Manganye, sending a clear message that his actions were unacceptable.

The case of Manganye, while an isolated incident, is a reflection of the broader challenges the ANC faces in its quest for renewal. No stranger to controversy, Manganye has also been implicated in an alleged case of nepotism involving the appointment of Johannesburg Water’s chief operations officer.

Reports suggest that Manganye played a pivotal role in securing the post for Gugulethu Phakathi, an ANC member who did not initially meet the qualifications required for the position. Phakathi, despite holding a BTech degree in mechanical engineering, did not possess the required NQF level eight qualification, allegedly prompting the job posting to be altered to suit her credentials. Manganye's interference did not go unnoticed.

ANC members within Johannesburg’s regional executive committee expressed concerns over his alleged attempts to bypass the usual vetting procedures. One source revealed that Manganye attempted to fast-track Phakathi's appointment without consulting fellow office bearers, only to later involve the Johannesburg Water board directly to ensure the position was advertised with a modified set of qualifications. This incident adds to growing concerns about ANC influence in city-owned entities, particularly Johannesburg Water and Pikitup. Both organizations have seen controversial appointments, with several relatives of senior officials reportedly hired without going through the official application process. Asked what his relationship to Brink is, Manganye responded: “It is a professional relation informed by my role as the Chairperson of the Political Management Council in the CoJ.

Asked why it was important to him that Brink return as City Manager even after the Pretoria High Court had made a ruling, Mangenye said he “operates based on the decisions of the collective and has never held individual views outside the collective”.This is the first of a series of stories on the local government sphere.