By-election to follow councillor’s death

THE Makana Municipality is to hold a by-election after the death of ANC ward councillor Nomhle Ngoqo last week.

Ward 1 councillor Ngoqo’s death left a vacancy which acting municipal manager Mandisi Planga said would be communicated to the Electoral Commission to begin the process of preparing for a by-election.

Municipal by-elections must take place within 90 days of a municipal ward council seat being declared vacant.

Ward 1 consists of rural areas including Riebeck East and Fort Brown.

DA caucus leader Les Reynolds said they would contest the by-election.

United Front provincial convener Lungile Mxube said they would support independent candidates.

“We have no resolution yet . . . about contesting by-elections, but we will support independent candidates provided they share the objectives of the United Front,” he said.

ANC chief whip Julia Wells urged political parties to show respect to the Ngoqo family by not campaigning until after the funeral.

“I know people will want to go all out to campaign but we ask that we wait . . . and give a chance for the family to mourn,” Wells said.

Makana mayor Zamuxolo Peter announced the death of Ngoqo during a special council meeting on Friday.

“His death left a gaping void in the sphere of local government and has robbed this council and the community . . . of a foot soldier in our fight against poverty, inequality and unemployment,” Peter said.

Ngoqo’s funeral will be held on Saturday at the Extension 6 indoor sports centre.

Meanwhile, the Makana council also noted the terms of reference for administrator Pam Yako, whose contract has been extended for three months from April.

Planga said: “The intervention means the municipal council and officials . . . have failed to run the municipality administratively and therefore all the executive powers of the municipality will now be executed by the administrator.”