Tshwane a city on autopilot
Naming of new mayor on hold
A Tshwane council meeting where the capital city’s new mayor was expected to be elected collapsed yesterday‚ raising fears that the provincial government may take over the city’s administration.
The city was expected to vote 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 member of the mayoral committee 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 collapse of the meeting just a few minutes after it started.
The development means the city is now flying on “autopilot”‚ with no mayor or permanent city manager.
Mokgalapa’s resignation also means that all members of his mayoral committee will have to vacate office‚ leaving the city without any executive political leadershipl.
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 also started a process to have Mathebe investigated for her conduct relating to the collapse of previous council meetings‚ some of which were meant to have her removed via a motion of no confidence.
ANC Tshwane chair Kgosi Maepa said they wanted Mathebe to be prevented from chairing yesterday’s meeting because of the investigation into her. “The ANC feels that it is time she steps aside because there is an investigation against her‚ by a senior counsel appointed independently‚” said Maepa.
He said the party felt that Mathebe should also allow council to elect an acting speaker to lead meetings.
Maepa said the DA has always asked members of his party to step aside when they faced a serious probe.
DA Gauteng leader John Moodey 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.
He said if the opposition parties wanted Mathebe out‚ they should go through the proper processes. Moodey believed the opposition wanted the municipality to be placed under administration.
This is a fourth council meeting in a row this year to collapse following an impasse between Mathebe and the EFF and ANC. The two parties combined are the majority in council and their walkouts force Mathebe to call off the meeting as it fails to quorate.