The ANC in Ekurhuleni yesterday tabled a motion of no confidence in Mayor Tania Campbell, which resulted in 100 votes for and 93 against the motion.

Speaker Raymond Dhlamini said a special sitting will be called to elect a new mayor.

Before the motion was tabled, coalition parties re-affirmed their support for Campbell, while the EFF stated that it intended to abstain from the vote.

Ekurhuleni ANC chief whip Jongizizwe Dlabathi previously told media the motion was based on the ‘mayor coercing the finalisation of the council budget’.

He alleged that it resulted in the resignation of former MMC of Finance Graham Gersbach.

Dlabathi told the media that Campbell pursued an ‘anti-poor budget’ by doing away with free basic services and that service delivery has taken a ‘racial turn’, especially in informal settlements.

“Townships have been neglected under her leadership,” Dlabathi said.

During deliberations the DA described the ANC’s motion as ‘frivolous’, adding that its DA caucus had full confidence in Campbell.

Parties that supported Campbell included ActionSA and Freedom Front Plus.

The councillors in support of the motion of no confidence against Ekurhleni mayor Tania Campbell described her appointment as an "accident".
The council highlighted the service delivery protest that brought Tembisa to a standstill earlier this year. #TaniaCampbell #Ekurhuleni pic.twitter.com/FAJw2pSigH

— Scrolla Africa (@ScrollaAfrica) October 26, 2022

ANC councillor Doctor Xhakaza said that Campbell plunged the city into crisis and Dlabathi said that the multi-party coalition did not have the capability to steer the city.

EFF caucus leader Nkululeko Dunga said neither the ANC or DA formally approached the EFF and added the ANC prematurely launched the motion of no confidence.

The Independent Citizen Movement, United Democratic Movement and Patriotic Alliance voted in favour of the ANC motion.

Several political parties that supported the ANC’s motion raised the Thembisa protests, which occurred in August, during deliberations.

“Thembisa should never have happened. A mayor who says she cannot meet with people because protocol does not allow for it, should not be mayor,” said councillor Dino Peterson from the Patriotic Alliance.

Residents then took to the streets to express frustration with service delivery. The hike in tariffs was another concern raised by Thembisans.

“You should not place yourself higher than the people,” added Peterson.