No-one at the helm after Tshwane meeting aborted
A Tshwane council meeting, at which the capital city’s new mayor was expected to be elected, collapsed on Thursday, raising fears that the provincial government may place the city under administration.
The council was expected to vote in the meeting for a new mayor after the resignation of Stevens Mokgalapa. It was also expected to debate and approve budget adjustments.
The DA had nominated economic development MMC Randall Williams to replace Mokgalapa. But calls by opposition parties, the ANC and EFF, for speaker Katlego Mathebe to resign from her post led to the meeting collapsing just a few minutes after it started.
This means there is no mayor or permanent city manager at the helm.
Mokgalapa’s resignation also means that all members of his mayoral committee will have to vacate office.
This leaves the city without any executive political leadership, apart from the council.
The latest developments have increased the risk of the municipality being placed under administration by the provincial government.
Gauteng local government MEC Lebogang Maile has started a process to have Mathebe investigated over her conduct relating to the collapse of previous council meetings, some of which were meant to have her removed through a motion of no confidence.
CALLS BY THE ANC AND EFF FOR SPEAKER KATLEGO MATHEBE TO RESIGN FROM HER POST LED TO THE MEETING COLLAPSING
ANC Tshwane chair Kgosi Maepa said the party wants Mathebe to be prevented from chairing the meeting on Thursday because of the investigation.
“The ANC feels that it is time she steps aside because there is an investigation into her, by a senior counsel, appointed independently,” said Maepa.
He said the party felt that “enough is enough” and that Mathebe should step aside and allow the council to elect an acting speaker to lead meetings.
Maepa said the DA always asked members of his party to step aside when they faced a serious probe.
DA Gauteng leader John Moodey, however, criticised opposition parties for collapsing the council.
“She is the speaker, lawfully speaking and legally speaking. How can you want her to resign?” he asked.
Moodey said that if the opposition parties want Mathebe out, they should go through the proper processes.
He said he believes the opposition wants the municipality to be placed under administration.