The party interdicted 7 of its councillors from attending a sitting in which council members, including some of the ANC members present at the sitting, again voted with the opposition parties to elect an opposition mayor.

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During this, the Afrikan Alliance of Social Democrats' (AASD) president, Papi Mokoena, was elected as the new executive mayor of the Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro, unopposed.

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ANC Mangaung spokesperson, Ncamile Nxangisa, said this court interdict follows an urgent application to halt the expelled councillors from continuing to represent the ANC as its representatives.

Nxangisa said the interdict sought to assist them in clarifying that the meeting would be illegal. They intentionally put it aside to achieve their mission to illegally appoint a mayor.

"The ANC has been made aware that an illegal meeting was convened by the corrupt and criminal syndicate of the DA, through the council speaker. Through unconfirmed reports, it is said they continued with their criminal and corrupt ways to quorate a meeting with the expelled members of the ANC to illegally elect the Mayor, which now the court has declared illegal and against the Constitution. [sic]

"The DA Speaker was well aware of the court interdict even before the commencement of the illegal meeting, true to their character they decided to place the court interdict as a last item on the agenda. The DA has once more illustrated their disregard and disrespect of our Constitution. Their claim to be defenders of the same Constitution is hogwash, which the courts have exposed," Nxangisa added.

The opposition parties at the troubled Bloemfontein-based Metro Municipality have welcomed the election of the new executive mayor.

Following his election as the new mayor, Mokoena vowed to restore order within the ailing Metro.

ALSO READ: 'Order to be restored' in City of Roses – VIDEO

Mokoena said a top structure of the metro, which includes Heads of Departments (HODs) and a City Manager, will be appointed.

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