The ZTT met for the first time with the newly elected Mogale City Local Municipality Speaker, Naga Patrick Lipudi, after the embarrassing local government election, to craft a new direction for the city.
Raliphi George Master Push Xolelizwe, Chairperson of Sanco Mogale City ZTT, who is also the chairperson of Maki Legwete Sanco branch in Ward 11, Kagiso, led the six men and women delegation from Sanco to the office of the Speaker on 21 September.
The delegation comprised James Mathethwa, from Ward 9; Aubrey Disenelo and Ayanda Gilunyaka, both from Ward 14, Sinqobile; the Maki Legwete branch was represented by myself and my colleague Kedisaletsie Molefe (both of us from Sanco, Ward 11, in Kagiso).
Xolelizwe is concerned that some of the city’s flagship projects could be canned by the new DA-led coalition government under the Executive Mayor Lynn “Auntie” Pannall.
Xolelizwe, the experienced leader, however, raised various issues with the Speaker ranging from the establishment of ward committees, a city petition committee and the public account committee among others. He even asked the Mogale City’s Speaker what had happened to the parachuted mayoral candidate Bertha Peace Mabe? And, where is she now?
Mr Speaker responded to the leadership of Sanco, by saying ex-councillor Bertha Peace Mabe had submitted her resignation letter as a councillor of Mogale City with immediate effect. That was on 23 August.
Sanco Mogale City ZTT is lobbying parties ahead of the October 29 council meeting where the budget will be tabled and the DA’s priorities for the country’s economic hub are expected to highlighted. The leadership of Sanco is busy campaigning for buy-in from parties to ensure the ANC gets its way and that the developmental projects that previous government initiated are not derailed. Xolelizwe said he is confident the Speaker will be able to continue to build and improve Mogale City.
Xolelizwe, a former political prisoner and anti-apartheid activist, plans to carefully scrutinise the draft budget and where possible lobby for its amendment. In a meeting with the Speaker, he also raised concerns about the policy uncertainty that comes with the DA being in power. He emphasised that he was not necessarily uncomfortable being ANC and the opposition in a council that is now under Auntie Pannall’s command.
However, Xolelizwe admitted that the ANC found itself in an unfamiliar position – something we have to adjust to. The political veteran said he regarded this a setback, and a plan was afoot to regain lost ground and win back the confidence of the people who voted against the ANC.
