Sedibeng Mayor Lerato Maloka was ousted from her position after a motion of no confidence was brought against her at a council meeting on January 29.
This DA-sponsored motion passed with 26 votes in favour and 21 against, with two abstentions.
The motion had been on the table since last November when the DA registered the action with the Sedibeng District Municipality.
According to Clr Sibusiso Dyonase of the Sedibeng DA office, while Maloka was in the mayoral seat, she failed to lessen the municipality’s financial burdens.
“That included vehicles and trips abroad on various occasions. There was no recovery plan in action as required by various governmental bodies. That included the Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
“Maloka did not attempt to rectify or implement the recommendations made available to her from the Auditor-General’s office. Some irregularities could not be overlooked,” said Dyonase.
Within 14 days, another council meeting will convene to elect a new mayor.
Maloka was a previous mayor of the Lesedi Local Municipality, where the DA also tried to remove her from office.
“We are proud to have contributed to the end of Mayor Maloka’s reign. We will always, wherever we are, put residents’ needs first,” continued Dyonase.
“Our goal is the prioritisation of the people of Sedibeng. They will only be put first if an effective government is put in place that will ensure an end to corruption and work towards providing services.
“Today is a good day for Sedibeng; an ineffective mayor must leave her seat. During her tenure, Mayor Maloka lost the physical mayoral chain, and today, she has finally been relieved of her duties.”
