By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Maryke Davies was elected as the new speaker of the Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro Municipality.
Davies defeated ANC speaker candidate and Mangaung Regional Chairperson Lawrance Mathae. Davies received 53 votes against 43 of Mathae.
A total of 96 council members took part in the vote at the council chambers on Wednesday which was presided over by an official seconded by the MEC for Cooperative Governance (Cogta), Ketso Makume.
The ANC enjoys a clear majority with 51 seats compared to the DA’s 26 and the EFF’s 12.
The FF Plus has five and Patriotic Alliance two, while the Afrikan Alliance of Social Democrats, African Independent Congress, African Christian Democratic Party and African Transformation Movement all have one seat each.
On Tuesday 28 March 2023, the ANC’s mayoral candidate for the troubled Metro Municipality, Gregory Nthatisi, and Mathae were sworn in as councillors.
The acting Chief Magistrate, Lindiwe Mbassa, led the ceremony for the Umkhonto Wesizwe veteran Nthatisi and Mathae at the Bram Fischer Building, housing the municipal council.
The ANC caucus in the metro has been one of the most divided caucuses with deep and rooted infighting. In 2022, the council failed to vote and adopt its 2022/23 budget after some ANC councillors, who are in the majority, voted with opposition parties against the budget twice.