By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The NFP’s Councillor Zandile Myeni was today voted in as the new ethekwini Deputy Mayor, following the ousting of ABC’s Councillor Philani Mavundla.
Earlier eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda survived an urgent motion of no confidence against him.
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.
Meanwhile ousted Ekurhuleni speaker Raymond Dhlamini has confirmed that he will take the legal action in order to reverse his removal.
Another council sitting of the metropolitan municipality descended into chaos on Thursday night, after Dhlamini – who was set to face a motion of no confidence – adjourned proceedings before walking out following disruptions.
The extraordinary council meeting, which started at 1pm, was however, taken over by City manager Imogen Mashazi and resulted in the election of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor Nthabiseng Tshivhenga as interim speaker.
Dhlamini has since indicated that his party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has agreed to approach the courts following Thursday’s events.
“Yes indeed, we are taking legal action against this coup that wants to take over everything illegally. Yes we are going to court. We spoke and agreed that we must take the matter to court. That’s where we are going so we will meet them in court, “he said on Friday.
He also dismissed the suggestion that he was attempting to block City of Ekurhuleni Mayor, Tania Campbell’s potential removal from office.
“I can’t frustrate them if they follow the rules of the House. They are not following any rules that’s the problem. I cannot just allow something because you are howling in council. If you are howling and we cannot control the council then it means I need to adjourn it.
“So it’s not about defending the executive mayor. It has nothing to do with that. By the way we need to remember that the motion tabled against the mayor previously, I was the speaker and we allowed it to be debate [in council] so I don’t understand this narrative saying we trying to block that.”
Meanwhile ActionSA has urged Gauteng Local Governance MEC, Mzi Khumalo to intervene. The party believes the council meeting was illegal.
“Regardless of the merits of the motions of no confidence Dhlamini was due to face, it is the speaker’s responsibility to facilitate the democratic business of council, and his behaviour, therefore, falls outside the scope of what can be accepted by a speaker duly elected to serve council and the City’s residents,”ActionSA Gauteng chairperson Bongani Baloyi said in a statement.
“The inability of the municipality to pass important items, including the adjustment budget, now directly threatens the sustainability of the municipality, and its ability to provide services to its residents.”
Elsewhere businessman-turned-politician Kenny Kunene has been sworn in as a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) in Joburg, taking one of the two MMC positions that still needed to be announced.
Kunene, the deputy president of the Patriotic Alliance, will head up the transport portfolio.
Ennie Makhafola was also sworn in as the MMC for Health and Social Development.
The pair are included in the new administration led by Joburg Mayor Thapelo Amad who unveiled various MMCs on Thursday.
He said his criminal record would not come in the way of his role as an executive member, and assured he could be trusted with city’s public coffers.
Kunene served more than five years behind bars in 1997 after being convicted of running a Ponzi scheme.