By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) bid to remove African Transformation Movement councillor Mncedi Ndzwanana as City of Tshwane speaker has failed.
Ndzwanana was set to face a motion of no confidence in the council on Wednesday after the DA filed a petition calling for the special sitting.
The city’s council convened on Wednesday to debate a motion of no confidence against Ndzwanana, which was tabled by the DA-led multi-party coalition.
But Ndzwanana “disallowed” the motion, saying that the petition no longer meets the minimum requirements.
“It is important to note that since this petition and motion were received, there has been some development in that. There has been a resignation of councilor Bekker and a vacancy has been declared. There is a question about the validity of his signature on the petition. And by extension the minimum threshold required for the petition as amended.
“Considering the above explanation, it is my opinion that the above no longer meet the minimum requirements for a petition in terms of section 29.1 of the municipality’s Structures Act. I therefore disallow this motion.”
The meeting was preceded by a court case in which Ndzwanana successfully challenged the DA’s request to have him interdicted from chairing the meeting that would debate his fitness to hold office.
The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled on Tuesday that Ndzwanana was legally allowed to chair council proceedings.
The failed motion against the speaker comes a day before council is supposed to pass an adjustment budget.
Thursday’s adjustment budget comes days before the provincial treasury’s deadline of 14 April.
If the council fails to pass the budget it risks being placed under administration by the Department of Cooperative Governance.