The future of two political leaders in Standerton was decided on Friday, 5 June and the mayor and speaker were reinstated.
The Covid-19 situation complicated matters in so much that a special virtual council meeting was held to decide the future of the Mr Linda Dhlamini and Ms Makhosazana Khota.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) issued a press release on the election process during which both were reinstated in their positions.
The acting head of the department, Mr Sam Ngubane, designated by the MEC, Mr Mandla Msibi, presided over proceedings and altogether 27 out of 30 councillors were present.
Both Mr Dhlamini and Ms Khota garnered 20 votes.
According to the statement, the provincial government invoked Section 139 (1) (b) in March to place Lekwa under administration.
Mr Ngubane expressed the department’s commitment to support the municipality to improve service delivery.
Also read: Frustrations about service delivery in Standerton heighten
The MEC congratulated both officials and urged them to take leadership to council to prevent the spreading of Covid-19.
The caucus leader of the DA, Mr Rosier de Ville, has in the past been of a different opinion.
“I strongly believed that Lekwa should be put under administration according to Article 139 1 (c) and the council be dissolved,” he also said.
The two council members were removed, following the DA’s motions of no confidence which were carried through.
Protests were a common sight at several council meetings in front of the municipal buildings in Mbonani Mayisela Street.
Everything began on 20 November 2018 when the DA put a motion of no confidence forward in a council meeting, regarding them.
Ms Sithi Silosini, PR-councillor of the DA, then said the Section 106-investigation report will set the record straight.
The Standerton Advertiser contacted Mr De Ville on Monday, 8 June for comment on the council meeting.
“It is a huge disappointment and what is amazing is that people, who were at loggerheads two months ago, are now friends,” he said.
According to him, intimidation played a role in some councillors’ decisions not to support the DA.
A new post has also been created on the mayoral committee.
“I foresee big political fights in the months to come,” the caucus leader concluded.
Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
