After stealing control of the speaker position in Mangaung in March, riding on internal ANC divisions, the DA’s victory this week became short-lived.
On Wednesday, the party’s council speaker, Maryke Davies, got the boot through a motion of no confidence.
ANC regional chairperson and SA Local Government Association provincial chairperson, Lawrence Mathae, got the vote as the newly elected council speaker.
The outcome was surprisingly different in March when Davies and Mathae contested for the same position.
At the time, the council, which is dominated by ANC councillors, elected Davies with 53 votes against 40 received by Mathae.
It was then reported that over 10 ANC councillors defied the party’s mandate and voted in favour of the opposition councillor due to divisions within the party in the province.
Johan Pretorius, leader of the DA caucus in the municipality, has since expressed the party’s disappointment, saying the vote undercuts democratic fundamentals.
The agitated leader said the municipality will now have to reconfigure its priorities and refocus its efforts.
“It is of the utmost importance that the municipality refocuses its efforts on addressing the needs and concerns of its citizens instead of engaging in political maneuvering,” he said.
Pretorius accused the ANC of misleading the council and creating a false impression of the former speaker, stating that this raised concerns about the ANC’s integrity.
He said the ANC, in its attempt to hold onto power, created an unprecedented standard by using misleading and false accusations as the basis for the motion of no confidence.
Additionally, he said, the ANC’s acting speaker for the day chose to ignore DA councillor Dirk Kotze’s five-minute speaking period by cutting it short, demonstrating its contempt for rules and regulations.
“This strategy not only undermines the integrity of the political process but also raises concerns about the ANC’s commitment to democratic values.
By resorting to such tactics, the ANC risks eroding public trust and further polarising the divided political landscape,” Pretorius said.
The DA is expected to challenge the motion, and Pretorius confirmed that the party will consult its legal team to explore legal options.
“The actions of the ANC in undermining the council’s effectiveness reveal a willingness to prioritise their own political power over the wellbeing of the community.
“We will consult with our legal teams and leaders to determine the best course of action regarding the legality of the motion that was passed by the council,” he said.
Pretorius said the municipality should place the interests of its citizens at the forefront of its agenda.
“Our commitment to a thriving and inclusive democracy remains unwavering, and we will continue to advocate for accountable and transparent governance in Mangaung.”
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa.
