DA calls for intervention in eMbalenhle Ward 14 vacancy
The party accused MEC for COGTA, Speedy Mashilo, and the provincial government of failing to act in accordance with the law.
The DA in Mpumalanga has urged Minister of Cooperative Governance Velenkosini Hlabisa to intervene and compel the provincial government to declare a vacancy in eMbalenhle’s Ward 14, as urgent by-elections are needed.
According to the DA, service delivery in Ward 14 under the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality has collapsed because of the absence of Clr Jabu Zwane, who reportedly tendered his resignation on May 28. Despite his public departure and criticism of the ANC, the resignation has yet to be formally acknowledged.
DA Mpumalanga caucus leader Bosman Grobler cited the Municipal Structures Act, which stipulates a vacancy must be declared within 90 days in cases of resignation, incapacity, expulsion, or death of a councillor.
The party accused MEC for COGTA, Speedy Mashilo, and the provincial government of failing to act in accordance with the law.
“The community of Ward 14 deserves proper representation and functioning services. This delay in declaring a vacancy is a political tactic to undermine residents’ rights,” said Grobler.
The DA plans to escalate the matter to Hlabisa through its representatives in the National Assembly.
In response to enquiries by Ridge Times, executive mayor Nhlakanipho Zuma stated that he was unaware of a formal resignation by Zwane, only that the councillor had been absent from work.
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