De Lille, Smit face no-confidence motions

CITY councillors will be free to vote with their conscience in the no-confidence motions against mayor Patricia de Lille and Speaker Dirk Smit at a full council meeting on Thursday.

JP Smith, deputy DA caucus leader said the motions were discussed, but the DA decided not to dictate to councillors on how to vote.

Smith said they are following the Constitutional Court ruling of the UDM case which pressured parliamentary Speaker Baleka Mbete to allow a secret vote and for MPs to vote with their conscience.

“Both motions will be a free vote. We already dealt with the issue of confidence and there has been voted on that. That is why we are going ahead.

“The only process that can stop it now, is whether the Federal Executive decides to recall the decision. The next round of voting will take place in council chambers (at the full council meeting).”

Councillor Marian Nieuwoudt, one of the senior councillors, submitted the motion on behalf of the DA. Niewoudt’s request was supported by Kraaifontein councillor Brenda Hansen.

The motion against Smit was submitted by the ANC.

Xolani Sotashe, ANC leader in council said they submitted the motion based on Smit’s inability to be impartial.

De Lille however disputed Smith’s explanation, but didn’t elaborate.

At the same time, two of the most senior councillors in the City have expressed unwavering support for De Lille.

Council chief whip Shaun August said he will not be supporting a motion of no confidence in De Lille, as she continues to serve the residents of Cape Town with great distinction.

“She is a stalwart in the fight against corruption and has always put the poor at the forefront of her decisions. Spatial transformation is important to her and nothing will stop her from achieving this as our people, especially the poor, need to have better access to economic opportunities and the difficulties brought by apartheid needs to be reversed.”

Siyabulela Mamkeli, mayoral committee member for Area Central, said he had full confidence in De Lille.