By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former city of Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse says she’s confident the courts will confirm her as the rightful mayor of economic powerhouse of South Africa.
She was ousted in a council sitting on 30 September.
Phalatse filed a court application at the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, attempting to reverse the council’s decision to remove her and appoint ANC councillor Dada Morero.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Phalatse said she was of the view that the council sitting was “a sham” and criticised newly elected speaker, Colleen Makhubele, who presided over the chaotic sitting which experienced numerous interruptions and points of order.
“Since then, Makhubele and others have been trying to score mileage out of this unlawful council coup, or disguise the fact that they were complicit in handing Johannesburg back to the ANC.
“They have been working hard to create a false narrative around these events,” she said.
“As far as I’m concerned, I still have a duty of service to the residents of Johannesburg – a duty which I intend to perform to the best of my ability,” Phalatse said.
“I love this great city, and I love its people. My term of office, to date, has been both the hardest and the most rewarding time of my life, and I know we’ve made a positive difference here.”
“There is no way that I will back down now, at the first sign of adversity at the hands of a takeover by a corrupt few. I made promises to the people of Joburg before last year’s elections, and I repeated those promises when I took office in January.”
Meanwhile Morero, will on Thursday inspect reservoirs and water towers to see the cause of the water supply challenges across the western and southern parts of the city this week.
This after a meeting between the mayor and Joburg Water director Ntshavheni Mukwevho, which determined the extent to which residents and business were affected by the water shortage.
Morero is expected to visit Hursthill, Brixton, Crown Mines and Crosby reservoirs and towers.