By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has survived an urgent motion of no confidence against him.
The motion to remove Kaunda was filed by Active Citizens Coalition’s Imtiaz Syed last Wednesday, citing dissatisfaction with his leadership over the past year.
The EFF, ANC and other minority parties were against the motion.
The urgent motion was tabled during a special council meeting called to elect a new deputy mayor.
Council Speaker Thabani Nyawose made the announcement during the sitting: “Those who were in support of the motion is 81, those who are against [the motion] is 126, those who abstained one. Thank-you very much for the urgent, it’s been rejected…”
The position of deputy mayor became vacant in December 2022 after the coalition agreement between the African National Congress and Abantu Batho Congress (ABC) ended.
The position was held by ABC’s Philani Mavundla.
ActionSA pushed for the motion of no confidence in Kaunda to be included as part of Friday’s agenda.