Sapromo wants the new mayor out
Sapromo believes that Ms Flora Maboa-Boltman (previous executive mayor) was supposed to be replaced with a competent person.
SECUNDA – Sakhisizwe Progressive Movement (Sapromo) tabled a motion of no confidence against the newly elected mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality, Ms Thandi Ngxonono, on Wednesday, 7 March.
Ms Ngxonono was sworn in as the new executive mayor of the municipality on 13 March.
She took the oath of office at the council chambers alongside her newly appointed mayoral committee members who were also sworn in.
She replaced Ms Flora Maboa-Boltman who resigned on 5 March after the ANC had recalled her.
Mr Sibusiso Hlolweni, president of Sapromo, said Ms Ngxonono was unlawfully elected during an illegitimate meeting.
He said Mr Nhlakanipho Zuma, Speaker of the council, had called a meeting with no item on the agenda, with a promise that there would be a motion circulated during the meeting.
He said at the beginning of the meeting Mr Zuma said there was no motion and he did not know what the meeting was about.
“He then said the mayor was resigning and she gave a speech.
“According to Section 11 of the standing orders, the mayor must give the service delivery report, not a resignation letter.
“Section 58 of the Municipality Structures Act states that the intention to remove the mayor must be on the agenda before the meeting.
“Both procedures were not followed and when I challenged the procedure, I was forcefully thrown out of the meeting.”
Mr Hlolweni said his party is concerned that the residents of Govan Mbeki Municipality were insulted by the appointment of the new mayor who failed to lead two portfolios that she was assigned to.
He said during her leadership in Planning and Development, Ms Ngxonono never got a land audit and many challenges engulfed the department with many allegations of the illegal selling of municipal land.
“She was then moved to the finance portfolio and the finances of the municipality dramatically deteriorated.
“This led to the municipality failing to pay Eskom, which eventually resulted in the burning of municipal buildings by protesters.
“We believe that when the former mayor was recalled, she should have been replaced with someone better.”
Mr Zuma disputed that the appointment of the mayor was done unlawfully.
He said all procedures were followed.
“I can confirm that we received the motion of no confidence from Sapromo. It will be treated in line with the standing orders.”
Mr Bheki Kubheka, municipal spokesman, said the office of the mayor cannot comment at this stage.
