Dethroned Mpho Phalatse is the rightful mayor of the City of Johannesburg, according to the high court, which ruled that her removal from office was unlawful.
Phalatse appeared at the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday in a bid to contest her removal following a special council meeting in which she was ousted through a motion of no confidence in September.
After Colleen Makhubele was ordained as speaker of the council, she convened a special council meeting in which Phalatse’s fate was decided. The council, which voted in Phalatse’s absentia, then handed the reigns over to ANC’s Dada Morero.
However, Phalatse maintained that the meeting was convened in an irregular manner and disputed the election of Morero as the new mayor.
The sedulous mayor wanted the court to declare Makhubele’s notice to convene the meeting unlawful and invalid. According to Phalatse, the speaker did not follow the rules of council.
Phalatse argued that the council rules warrant those motions of no confidence be submitted 14 days prior to the meeting. It is still not clear how the mayorship will be returned back to its rightful holder.
This is a developing story…
We won for democracy👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽@Our_DA pic.twitter.com/mCdrWlWSrv
— Executive Mayor Mpho Phalatse (@mphophalatse1) October 25, 2022
🚨 DA wins court case against the ANC's illegal takeover in Johannesburg. The High Court has declared the removal of Mayor Mpho Phalatse unlawful. This is a victory for the Rule of Law.
With 71% of promises delivered within 10 months, Dr Mpho will continue to focus on delivery. pic.twitter.com/agG9EjZWEy
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) October 25, 2022
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