Still no Tshwane mayor after second election attempt is halted
“Political parties must try to avoid bringing political matters to this council. This will help speed up business.”
A second attempt at electing a Tshwane mayor during Wednesday’s special council sitting was unsuccessful.
This after it became necessary for legal consultations over “party politics”.
The call for a legal opinion was sought by the Tshwane speaker, Mncedi Ndzwanana, over Cope councillor, Justice Thabang Sefanyetso.
The drama centered on two letters submitted by Cope’s national leadership on the withdrawal of Sefanyetso as a councillor in Tshwane.
Sefanyetso was set to replace controversial former member and Tshwane mayor Murunwa Makwarela, who resigned after submitting a fake court rehabilitation notice to the city manager earlier this month.
A letter signed by Cope president Mosioua Lekota and Johannesburg Speaker Colleen Makhubela, who is also a Cope member, notified council of the withdrawal of Sefanyetso as a councillor.
Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler on Monday also declared a vacancy for a Cope councillor by writing to the Gauteng provincial officer of the Independent Electoral Commission of SA (IEC).
The reason for the withdrawal seems to focus on Sefanyetso being disqualified as a councillor for legal reasons.
Cope’s spokesperson Dennis Bloem, however, refuted claims that Cope had withdrawn Sefanyetso.
Bloem blamed a “rogue faction” within their party for attempting to remove their councillor and has promised legal action.
Meanwhile, coalition members and mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink were unsatisfied with the latest adjournment.
“It is clear that the ANC and EFF do not have the numbers so they resort to delays,” said Brink.
The multi-party coalition wants to call for a vote of no confidence against Ndzwanana on March 24.
ANC regional secretary George Matjila, however, denied allegations his party was to blame.
Matjila said it was unfair to say they were delaying the voting for mayor when the coalition walked out of council last Friday, due to a similar matter.
“We honoured council and we are here. We are not buying time by following the law.”
Matjila said it was essential to follow the law to avoid another “Makwarela situation”.
Ndzwanana said the election of the mayor was adjourned until further notice to seek legal advice regarding the contesting of Sefanyetso from council.
He further called for parties to “try by all means to avoid bringing political matters to this council. This will help speed up business.”
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