Pretoria News reports that the move by acting Tshwane mayor Abel Tau to request council to rescind the appointment of COO James Murphy as acting city manager is threatening to divide Tshwane House.  

Tau, who was acting while executive mayor Stevens Mokgalapa was abroad last week, requested council speaker Katlego Mathebe to convene a special council sitting at which the special leave granted to city manager Dr Moeketsi Mosola would be discussed.  In a letter, Tau suggested that Murphy was implicated in wrongdoing related to millions spent on the City’s anti-drug campaign.  On 25 July, council approved a request from Mokgalapa to part ways with Mosola by 31 July and appoint Murphy as acting city manager for three months.  But in an about-turn, the City extended Mosola’s period in office for another month by granting him special leave until 31 August.  This angered the ANC, with chief whip Aaron Maluleka accusing Tau of undermining a resolution taken by council.  The ANC indicated:  “Mosola has been on a lengthy sick leave.  There is no record of a ‘special leave’”.  The party has threatened to take legal action against Mokgalapa should he fail to retract the decision to extend Mosola’s term in office.  The party claimed the decision contradicted council’s stance to part ways with Mosola with effect from 31 July. 

• Read the full original of the above report by Rapula Moatshe at Pretoria News
• Read too, ANC gives Tshwane mayor 24 hours to cancel city manager's special leave, at News24

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