DA retains power in Tshwane unopposed: ‘now is the time to work’
With this latest development, the DA now rules in the three biggest metros in Gauteng, the capital city, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.
After two weeks of shaky coalition talks, the DA retained power in the Tshwane metro, with the party’s Randall Williams returning as mayor unopposed on Tuesday.
DA’s Christo van der Heever was elected chief whip and Katlego Mathebe the speaker.
Both were also elected unopposed during the Tshwane council inaugural meeting on Tuesday.
All three leaders return to the same positions they served in during the last term. None of the political parties in the council including the ANC and EFF submitted nominations for any of the three positions, ensuring no voting was necessary.
[WATCH] Newly elected Executive Mayor, Alderman Randall Williams @tshwane_mayor has called on parties to stop fighting and work together to deliver services to Tshwane residents. #TshwaneCouncil pic.twitter.com/1nRgMkJwPe
— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) November 23, 2021
In his acceptance speech, Williams urged the political parties to work together to ensure service delivery would reach residents.
“Regardless of our political affiliations, it is critically important that we place the interests of our residents first and foremost and strive to ensure that we adhere to the highest level of excellence in the work that we do in the city.”
Williams said it was time for the council to “hit the ground running… now is the time for work”. He said that unity was important for the council.
“No man or woman is an island. If we are to lead Tshwane into a prosperous future, it is only possible if we overcome our political differences and place the interests of our residents as our top priority.
“This is why I would appeal that as representatives of various political parties we continuously strive to work together towards enhancing the quality of services that are provided to our communities.”
He said he anticipated that there would be differences in council as it had happened in the past, “but we should not let such occasions derail the work of the administration or lead to instability in our city”.
While the inaugural sitting of the new council went smoothly in Tshwane amid ANC and EFF councillors arguing, this did not disrupt proceedings. EFF regional leader Obakeng Ramabodu referred to the ANC councillors as “criminals”.
Swearing in of councillors continues. #TshwaneCouncil #InauguralCouncilMeeting pic.twitter.com/7XCyrc0BqH
— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) November 23, 2021
“The ANC is frustrated and they want to blame the EFF for losing. They must know that we do not owe these criminals anything,” Ramabodu said. ANC’s Aaron Maluleka complained about Ramabodu’s utterances.
“He has no right to call us criminals unless we have been charged with something. He should withdraw.”
Ramabodu was requested to withdraw the statement but refused.
#TshwaneCouncil| @HermanMashaba speaks on ActionSA voting for the DA and what their expectations are.#TshwaneMayor pic.twitter.com/fK9sS0IBNv
— Pretoria Rekord (@RekordNewspaper) November 23, 2021
Read original story on rekord.co.za
