She 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 official replaced the Acting City Manager (ACM) Tebogo Motlashuping. Davis' election as the new speaker of the troubled Metro comes after former Speaker Stefani Lockman-Naidoo resigned recently.  

ALSO READ – Breaking News: Mangaung speaker resigns

Lockman-Naidoo addressed her resignation letter to the (ACM) Motlashuping on Wednesday 15 March 2023, shortly after former Mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana resigned.

These two members of the municipal structure called TROIKA resigned after they were allegedly recalled by the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC).

In her resignation letter, Lockman-Naidoo said: "I want to thank the ANC for entrusting me with this position and believe and trust that the organisation will consider our discussions over the last few weeks.

"The ANC remains the leader of society and as a loyal and disciplined member I will abide by any decision the organisation implements and I shall trust in that wisdom.

"I am available and will continue to serve the organisation with honour and diligence."

Lockman-Naidoo and the Mangaung Metro's ANC regional committee had opposing views since her election as the speaker, after taking over from Siyonzana.

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 Mangaung Regional Spokesperson, Ncamile Nxangisa, told OFM News that the ANC caucus sat on Tuesday to prepare itself for whatever had been planned.

"With all sorts of problems that we are having as the ANC with the internal battles, we remain confident we would make it,"  Nxamgisa said.

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.

ALSO READ: Troubled metro finally adopt controversial budget

It’s alleged that some ANC councillors, who constitute the majority of the council with 51 members, did not vote for the budget as it failed on two occasions.

OFM News