By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Tshwane council sitting which was convened by the city manager to discuss motion of no confidence vote in Speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana has been adjourned.
The motion was brought through a petition which was signed by all 108 councillors from the Democratic Alliance (DA)-led multiparty coalition, which holds a majority of seats in council.
The petition came amid claims that Ndzwanana refused to accede to their demands to convene a meeting to hear a motion of no confidence against him.
City manager, Johann Mettler said, that he convened the meeting under a provision in the Municipal Structures Act, which empowers the city manager to convene a meeting in the event that a majority of councillors sign a petition calling for it.
But Ndzwanana said the petition tabled by the DA-led multiparty coalition did not meet the minimum requirements.
“I did not stay nor refuse this meeting, but I certified myself if the petition meets the requirements as set out in the relevant legislation. This morning I engaged in an exercise of satisfying myself, as stated above, and I noticed that close to ten signatures did not meet the signatories that my office has records of.
“Based on the above explanation I am of the view that the petition does not meet the minimum requirements as set out in the legislature. Then that means this meeting is illegal and everything that was in it has fallen out. This meeting is adjourned.”
The EFF and the ANC in Tshwane have questioned whether Mettler had the authority to call Monday’s meeting.
EFF regional chairperson, Obakeng Ramabodu: “We are of the view that the meeting is unlawful and we will state our case in the council but the point is that the city manager can’t sit in that chair, that is the chair of the Speaker, who is duly elected.”
The city meanwhile has been granted an extension with strict directives that will have to see the city council table its mid-year adjustment budget by April 14.
The city missed the February 28 deadline to pass the adjustment budget for the 2022/2023 financial year which determines how much more residents will pay in water, electricity, sewage, waste removal as well as electricity increases.