The battle to remove GMM executive mayor, Ms Thandi Ngxonono from her position continues – Speaker under fire
Apart from the motion of no confidence which did not serve on 31January, the DA had submitted not one, but three request letters from the majority of council members to the speaker, in-line with the relevant legislation to convene an urgent council meeting for consideration of the motion, all of which were denied.
SECUNDA – Opposition parties staged a walkout at the council meeting on Thursday, 15 March, following their dissatisfaction with Mr Nhlakanipho Zuma, Speaker for the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM).
The Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters and Sakhisizwe Progressive Movement said they are not happy because Mr Zuma refused to table the motion of no confidence against Ms Thandi Ngxonono, GMM executive mayor, that the opposition parties have been demanding since January.
Ms Ciska Jordaan, DA caucus leader, said the manner in which the council has been functioning since the beginning of this year, has been appalling and in fact disrespectful towards not only the legislation that guides everyone, but also the South Africans in the communities.
Apart from the motion of no confidence which did not serve on 31 January, the DA had submitted not one, but three request letters from the majority of council members to the speaker, in-line with the relevant legislation to convene an urgent council meeting for consideration of the motion, all of which were denied.
“A second motion has been submitted to the office on 4 February, however, an ordinary meeting had not been called so the motion could serve. Mr Zuma has consistently and repeatedly denied the DA the right to table this motion to the council, freeing Ms Ngxonono of all responsibility and accountability for the mess that she has made of this municipality. What is perhaps most hypocritical, is the warning several councillors have received for boycotting the previous two special council meetings.
“Mr Zuma cited the code of conduct for councillors and is threatening to remove them from office should they not attend the following meeting that is intended to approve the adjustment budget.
“While he has not given care to any of the legislation related matters to removing the executive mayor and calling meetings as per the request of the majority of council, suddenly legislation would be evoked to remove the councillor. This only proves that the ANC would do anything in their power to protect Ms Ngxonono and her mayoral committee, even at the cost of their own councillors and the survival of this fallen council.”
She said the DA does not intend to rest due to illogical threats and the will of the ANC to wish for the disappearance of the motion for the removal of the executive mayor.
Mr Sibusiso Hlolweni, Sapromo leader, said he has written a letter to the MEC of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs regarding his dissatisfaction on how Mr
Zuma is conducting council, and how he deliberately misinterprets legislation to protect his own interests.
“I know this might not be taken seriously by the MEC, but it will always be known that I did send such a document for my record keeping. Ms Ngxonono is even failing to make sure that the usage of the old Bracken Mine sub-station is used to ease the load on the Extension 5 sub-station.”
Mr Thabiso Mofokeng, EFF leader, said his party is sick and tired of the games that are being played by Mr Zuma.
“He is totally ignoring the opposition parties and continues to protect Ms Ngxonono. As we speak, she is sitting with the Auditor General report which implicates senior officials, but the mayor is saying nothing about it.
The Echo contacted Mr Zuma for comment, but he did not respond at the time of going to print.
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