The trade union Solidarity has formally served a letter of demand to the City of Tshwane, challenging the precautionary suspension of City Manager Johann Mettler. The council resolved to suspend Mettler on 9 July 2026 amidst allegations of financial misconduct, maladministration, and gross dereliction of duty, including concerns regarding his handling of municipal worker dismissals.
Legal Challenges And Procedural Concerns
Solidarity argues that the suspension process was fundamentally flawed and claims the City Council failed to provide meaningful consideration of Mettler’s written representations. Anton van der Bijl, Deputy Chief Executive of Solidarity, stated that the notice of intention to suspend issued on 27 June was both vague and embarrassing.
Solidarity will not stand by while someone who has defended the integrity of the City of Tshwane is bullied through a political witch-hunt. We believe the metro’s actions are unlawful, irrational, and unconstitutional.
Political Instability And Council Disputes
The suspension follows a contentious period of political instability in the capital, with the motion to remove Mettler supported by a coalition comprising the ANC, EFF, and ActionSA. Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance and the Freedom Front Plus, have alleged that the council proceedings were irregular, claiming the Speaker arbitrarily disqualified opposition votes to secure the suspension.
These allegations of procedural manipulation remain at the centre of the dispute, as the city prepares for potential litigation over the legality of the council’s decision. Future developments will depend on whether the local government responds to the union’s legal ultimatum or whether the matter is escalated to the High Court.