The Citizen (Gauteng)

POKEMON FUN

-

mayor; if not, he would not.

On September 26, Willemse received notificati­on that his DA membership would be revoked and that he had 48 hours to supply the party with reasons why this should not occur.

Willemse complied, but this was viewed by the DA leadership to be a reapplicat­ion for membership – which it refused.

“On Monday, the DA formally advised Willemse that his applicatio­n to be readmitted as a member of the DA and objection lodged was, after careful considerat­ion, refused,” said George.

And a puzzled Myers exclaimed yesterday: “How can he possibly reapply for a position that he still holds?”

The DA wanted to remove Willemse because it is of the opinion that he contravene­d the federal DA constituti­on by holding on to a position that was not afforded him through official party procedures.

Willemse became mayor when the majority of the DA caucus left during a motion of no confidence against former mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies last year – presumably to “break the quorum” and postpone an immediate vote for a new mayor as municipal regulation­s demand.

Willemse and Myers remained in chambers, but the arena was left open for an ANC takeover.

They were then instructed by executive committee member Anton Bredell to do anything to keep the DA in power.

Myers proposed Willemse as mayor in order to retain a DA leadership.

Even though the Municipal Structures Act stipulates another mayor be elected as soon as the presiding one is deposed, the DA has tried to remove Willemse from office, insisting that, by accepting the position, he violated internal DA regulation­s and procedures pertaining to the election of a mayor, and elected to the post illegally.

Municipal spokespers­on Christophe­r Bezuidenho­udt said: “... the municipal manager has 14 days to consult with the IEC and to call and set a date for a by-election,” he said. – Caxton News Service

 ?? Picture: AFP ?? Pikachu draws a crowd during the Pokemon Go Safari Zone at the New Taipei Metropolit­an Park in New Taipei City yesterday.
Picture: AFP Pikachu draws a crowd during the Pokemon Go Safari Zone at the New Taipei Metropolit­an Park in New Taipei City yesterday.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa