Civic Voice applies for interim interdict against mayor and speaker

There is another twist in the tail as regards the future of the mayor and speaker of the Lekwa Municipality as their fate could be decided in the High Court in Middelburg.

A court date was set for 7 July.

The Civic Voice in Standerton has applied for an interim interdict against the reinstatement of Mr Linda Dhlamini and Ms Makhosazana Khota.

The history of the saga boils down to a motion of no confidence in them in November 2018, adjournment of subsequent council meetings, the provincial executive committee of the ANC getting involved, protesters making their voices heard and the DA succeeding on 31 January in keeping the item on the agenda.

The mayor and speaker were removed from office on 10 February and the ANC executed a counter punch for their return to office.

DA-councillors such as Mr Rosier de Ville and Ms Sithi Silosini, as well as Mr Nicholas Selepe from the Civic Voice, commented on the procedure.

“Our democracy is being attacked,” Mr De Ville then said.

“This undemocratic procedure is utter nonsense,” Mr Selepe said.

The Standerton Advertiser has been watching Mbonani Mayisela Street in town like a hawk, reported on what was happening as comprehensively as possible and consequently contacted Mr De Ville on Thursday, 1 July.

“It would be a good thing for the issue to be tested in court,” he said.

“I am looking forward to it.”

Also read: Frustrations about service delivery in Standerton heighten

Mr De Ville added that there is no confidence in the mayor and said both he and fellow ward-councillor, Mr Louis Jansen van Rensburg, objected to an increase in water and electricity tariffs at a virtual council meeting when the provisional budget was brought to table.

“I can not support it since services are not delivered.”

It will be something of a who’s who at the court proceedings since a total of nine respondents are named.

They are in order of appearance the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), the head of the department, Lekwa Municipality, the Municipal Manager, the speaker, the mayor, the ANC, the DA and the Economic Freedom Fighters.

According to information received, the Mpumalanga State Attorney will represent the MEC of CoGTA in opposing the intention.

The speaker and mayor called a special council meeting for 6 July and according to a source, they want council to consider defending them in the court matter, that cited them personally.

They also want the community to defend them.

The legality of the sitting of the meeting of 5 June is questioned as well.

A majority of council members voted for the removal of the mayor and speaker.

*Read the outcome in next week’s Standerton Advertiser.