Ms Sithi Silosini, PR-councillor of the DA in Standerton, issued a press release on 11 February about the successful removal of the mayor and speaker of Lekwa Municipality through a motion of no confidence.
The unfolding drama can be read in the Standerton Advertiser’s edition of 17 February that was published online as well.
Ms Silosini said history was made on Monday, 10 February as the ANC supported their motion.
Read more here:
https://standertonadvertiser.co.za/100944/lekwas-council-meeting-ends-shambles/
She gave the background of the reasons, citing that the mayor, Mr Linda Dhlamini, be removed because of his failure to provide political guidance on the spillage of raw sewage in the Vaal River, failure to provide basic services, inability to service creditors such as Rand Water and Eskom, which led to a more than R1-billion electricity debt, inability to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure and an inability to adjust billing systems, which sent incorrect accounts to consumers.
The speaker, Ms Makosazana Khota’s, removal was cited as because of an inability to ensure council resolutions are implemented, being biased and not competent to handle council sittings.
The DA’s 2018 motion was only dealt with on 10 February at a special council meeting where in a secret ballot, 10 ANC-councillors voted with the opposition to give the DA a majority of 16.
“It is a victory for the people of Lekwa, not just the DA and its supporters,” she said.
According to the statement, residents are living in conditions of poor water quality, roads full of potholes, raw sewage flowing directly into the Vaal River and street lights not being maintained.
“The incompetence of the mayor and speaker crippled the municipality and rendered council ineffective and dysfunctional. It is for this reason the DA saw their removal as justified.”
The statement concluded with saying that an interim mayor and speaker will be appointed soon, and that the DA will continue to keep a close eye on them, holding them accountable.
Also read the latest here:
https://standertonadvertiser.co.za/101151/lekwa-mayor-speaker-reinstated/
