DA pushes for vote against Ekurhuleni mayor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the City of Ekurhuleni has accused the ANC and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of delaying the motion of no confidence vote against the mayor of Ekurhuleni, Sivuyile Ngodwana.

The latest council meeting was marred by chaos, with protests outside and disorder inside the chambers.

The DA staged a walkout of council, saying that the meeting was illegal.

The party accused the speaker of council, Nthabiseng Tshivhenga, of starting another council meeting to deal with outstanding reports instead of resuming the motion of no confidence against the mayor.

The DA’s Michael Waters said the ANC and the EFF were renegotiating.

“The ANC and the EFF are playing for time.

“They are trying to renegotiate their deal.

“The ANC is scared of the threats of Julius Malema that if they lose Ekurhuleni they will get kicked out of Johannesburg and other metros,” Waters said.

Waters said the DA would go back into the council chambers for the motion of no confidence vote.

“Once the extraordinary council meeting is concluded we will be going in to conclude the ordinary meeting of the 29th.

“We will be participating in the motion of no confidence against the mayor,” he said.

Waters said the DA was calling for fresh elections in the City of Ekurhuleni as this was the only solution to the stalemate among political parties.

The DA has also proposed a motion of no confidence against the speaker of council.

This would be debated at the end of March.

It was clear that the leaders of different parties were interested in the motion of no confidence against the mayor.

Among guests in council chambers were ANC Gauteng top brass Panyaza Lesufi and TK Nciza. EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu and ActionSA’s provincial leader Funzi Ngobeni were also present.

It is believed that the outcome of the vote will affect local politics in Johannesburg, where a proxy mayor has also been appointed.