SECUNDA – Members of the opposition parties and 11 ANC councillors boycotted the council meeting on Thursday, 21 February as they ramped up calls to oust the executive mayor, Ms Thandi Ngxonono, from her position.
This left the remaining ANC councillors who are believed to be supporting the mayor, not forming a quorum in order for the meeting to proceed.
This came after a motion of no confidence in the executive mayor, submitted by the DA, nor any other items were deliberated at the ordinary council meeting that took place on Thursday, 31 January.
Ms Ciska Jordaan, DA caucus leader, said the DA is happy that the council meeting did not continue and that her party will continue to hold the governing party accountable to its oath, despite the ANC’s continuous efforts to keep Ms Ngxonono on as executive mayor.
“Change is long overdue at the Govan Mbeki Municipality, change that will focus on speedy service delivery and the rooting out of corruption, as can be seen in the DA led Tshwane and Johannesburg Metros.
“We are again left dissatisfied that the ordinary meeting scheduled for 27 February is postponed “until further notice”, suggesting that the ANC is exploring every possible avenue to avoid the removal of the executive mayor and would postpone the business of council until the end of days in her defense.
“This proves once again that the Speaker misinterprets the standing orders to the convenience of the ANC and in unjustified defence of the executive mayor, who could quite possibly lose her office once the motion is rightfully dealt with,” Ms Jordaan said.
“In typical character of the ANC, favour is shown towards MS Ngxonono, at the cost of service delivery to the residents of Govan Mbeki Municipality.
“Once again, the municipality finds itself at the mercy of the internal squabbles of the ANC and their imperishable hunger for power.”
Mr Sibusiso Hlolweni, Sapromo president, said his party is happy that councillors boycotted the recent special council meeting. He said the Speaker, Mr Nhlakanipho Zuma, should be called to order.
“We are waiting for a continuation of a meeting that he illegally adjourned on 30 January. When you look at Rule 4 (1) of the rules of the National Assembly it reads: ‘The suspension of any provision must be limited in its operation to the particular purpose and period for which such suspension has been approved.’
“These rules cannot be different from council rules. Council rules are not an exception and the Speaker knows that very well. Mr Zuma mislead the council but we will deal with him later. The biggest culprit for now, is Ms Ngxonono and her supporters.”
He said Sapromo would like to praise the unity shown by councillors from different political parties for standing together against all odds.
He said after Ms Ngxonono and her friends are gone, he foresees a united council determined to work for the betterment of the municipality overlooking political affiliation.
Mr Zuma raised his concern over the recent behaviour of councillors and said he is intending to engage the Rules Committee regarding this and if they can come up with amicable solutions.
He said he was clueless why the councillors were absent, as most of them did not submit their application for leave of absence. He said the situation puts the municipality under extreme pressure as it is becoming more difficult for him to execute his duties considering the conduct of councillors.
“As we speak, I do not have any explanation why they were absent. I will have to convene a meeting with the councillors in an attempt to find reasons why. I request the public to remain calm as we are trying to resolve these challenges.”
