Cosatu is taking Patricia de Lille to the Equality Court because there are “too many white males” on her mayoral committee.
The DA Western Cape leader and mayoral elect has come under fire for her proposed mayco, but defended her decision, saying it was the same team that led the Democratic Alliance to a two-thirds majority victory in the city in last week’s municipal elections.
De Lille has chosen to leave her 11-member mayco largely unchanged, making only two changes to replace councillors who did not stand for re-election.
But Cosatu, and mense on social media were not impressed with the mostly white, mostly male team.
De Lille says her team was chosen based on capability: “The voters have spoken. This is the same team that delivered. Where does colour fit in?”
Newcomers Eddie Andrews, the former Stormers and Springbok player from Mitchells Plain, has been appointed to the critical portfolio of Tourism, Events and Economic Development, while Anda Ntsodo is the new Mayco Member for Community Services.
Others who have returned to their positions include Deputy Mayor Ian Neilson, Brett Herron is back at the helm of transport, JP Smith is still in control of safety and security, Ernest Sonnenberg is in charge of utilities, Benedicta van Minnen is the Human Settlements head and Siya Mamkeli is in charge of Health Services, while Social Development and Early Childhood Development is still in the hands of Suzette Little.
Xanthea Limberg has been moved to Corporate Services and Johan van der Merwe to the Energy, Environment and Spatial Planning portfolio.
Dirk Smit has been reappointed as the speaker of the council and Shaun August is taking over as Chief Whip.
Cosatu said the mayco was unconstitutional in terms of employment equity and equality.
“This Mayco has only three woman and 50% white members. Cosatu will be taking this matter to the equality court to remove some of the DA verkrampte whites from leadership in the City,” read a Cosatu statement.
Biki Nketsi tweeted: “That is a very white council. DA ain’t serious or not interested in transformation.”
Tshepo Phetla wanted to know whether the DA would appoint more demographically representative teams in Tshwane and Joburg.
But De Lille says she’s moeg of race-based politics.
“I’m sick and tired of this nonsense. I am a black woman and I don’t agree with not seeing coloured people as black,” she says.
Asked about only appointing three women to her mayco, she said: “Women are not the panacea for all our problems.”
In 2011, then Premier Helen Zille was slammed for her all-male, mostly white, Western Cape cabinet.