Makana mayor survives vote of no confidence

The DA has been defeated in its motion of no confidence in Makana mayor Nomhle Gaga.

The motion was defeated by nine votes, with seven in favour and 16 against on Wednesday.

DA caucus leader Mlindi Nhanha said before the vote that Gaga had failed in her duty to exercise effective oversight and provide leadership to the embattled and broke municipality.

“Her chaotic reign has led Makana deeper into trouble.”

Successive disclaimer audit opinions by the auditor general and crumbling infrastructure highlighted blatant dereliction of duty by the city’s highest office bearers, he said.

Under the current mayor's watch, the municipality had become the provincial capital of potholes and illegal dumpsites. She had also failed to ensure crucial council resolutions were implemented.

Examples of resolutions that were never implemented included a 2017 decision that a reputable independent organisation investigate the hefty annual municipal overtime bill of R5m.

A resolution to ringfence all revenue generated from the sale of electricity was also never implemented.

“This could have enabled the municipality to pay its current account and also service its escalating debt with Eskom,” said Nhanha.

He also cited the scandal around the poor quality drinking water, which had created a potential danger to the health of citizens, especially infants and the elderly.

Nhanha said the DA had put forward a compelling argument but the ANC members who had wanted to vote in favour of the motion had perhaps been intimidated by the presence of the ANC regional executive committee.