“We will resist any attempts to discredit female leaders”: ANCWL Sedibeng
"We will resist any attempts to discredit female leaders who are striving for the betterment of our communities."
SEDIBENG.- Politics are indeed a dirty game!
Just three weeks after being removed in a vote of no confidence as the executive mayor of Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM), Lerato Maloka was voted in once again as the SDM’s Executive Mayor on Tuesday. African National Congress’s (ANC’s) Maloka and the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Prudence Hlanyane were nominated as candidates during a special council meeting at the Vereeniging Civic Centre where Maloka won with 25 votes.
Hlanyane got 24 votes.
Maloka was ousted three weeks ago during a council meeting after 26 councillors voted against her and 21 councillors voted for her.
Disebo Tlebere, Sedibeng ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) Secretary said that the ANCWL proudly stands in solidarity with Maloka following her re-election.
“This victory is not just for Comrade Maloka but for the advancement of women in leadership and the relentless pursuit of a just and equitable society. We extend our gratitude to our coalition partners — the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), New Horizon Movement, Community Solidarity Association, and the Vaal party — for their unwavering support in this collective endeavor,” Tlebere said.
She added that Maloka’s ousting through a motion of no confidence, “engineered by the Democratic Alliance (DA)”, was not only an assault on her leadership but an affront to the democratic choices of the people in this region.
“The spurious allegations that were levied against her, which alleged disservice to the community, lacked merit and were clearly driven by political agendas aimed at undermining the capabilities of a dedicated and effective leader. The ANCWL firmly believes that the attacks on her character, especially those rooted in gender discrimination, must cease. We will resist any attempts to discredit female leaders who are striving for the betterment of our communities, Tlebere said.
DA caucus leader in Sedibeng, Sibusiso Dyonase said the re-election of Maloka is a stinging indictment against the Sedibeng councillors.
“Our fight for Sedibeng and its residents goes on, and the DA will continue to fight for and enforce principles of good governance and accountability, and we will hold this failure of a District Mayor to account,” Dyonase said.
