DA loses battle to get rid of mayor

The Democratic Alliance’s bad week got even worse after the Northern Cape High Court yesterday dismissed with costs its application to remove Sol Plaatje mayor Mangaliso Matika.

After Matika refused to step down as mayor last month, demanding that “proper process be followed”, he was ordered by the high court to temporarily pack his bags. He viewed the attempts for his removal as unlawful. The acting mayor was Pula Thaba.

Handing down judgment yesterday, Judge President Pule Tlaletsi said the council meeting was convened without giving the required 24 hours’ notice, and Matika was apparently unaware of the motion of no confidence against him.

He found that the special council meeting, as well the decision to remove Matika, were invalid and unlawful. He ordered the DA to pay the legal costs of Matika’s interdict to overturn the council meeting.

In a statement, DA Northern Cape provincial leader Andrew Louw said they noted the judgment but “respectfully disagree with the conclusions that the court drew in the matter” and would be “consulting with our legal team to explore our options going forward”.

“The fact remains that a majority of councillors have adopted a lawful motion of no confidence in Matika, which was prompted by years of poor leadership, culminating in widespread protests and a shutdown of the city. Matika’s poor governance has led to a large-scale loss of faith in his ability to lead the city,” Louw said.