Opposition parties in Mangaung Metro have slammed the ANC for what they term an absolute abuse of majority power.

On Wednesday (20/9), the ANC and its coalition partners, including the African Transformation Movement and African Alliance Congress, voted for Cllr. Lawrence Mathae as the new speaker. His election was marred by controversy, confusion, and constant degeneration of the council house. 

DA Caucus Leader Johan Pretorius told OFM News after the DA staged a walkout the ANC caucus and its partners had deliberately misinterpreted the rules governing council proceedings.

“The DA expresses its disappointment regarding the recent vote of no confidence in Speaker Maryke Davies by the … council. The vote undermines the fundamental principles of democracy and accountability. It is of utmost importance that the municipality refocuses its efforts on addressing the needs and concerns of its citizens instead of engaging in political maneuvering.”

Elizabeth Snyman-Van Deventer of the FF Plus. Picture: Bloemfontein Courant

Elizabeth Snyman-Van Deventer from the FF Plus described the proceedings in council as an absolute joke and mockery to Mangaung residents and taxpayers. She said the motion brought by ATM was riddled with errors and therefore failed the test and should not have been entertained.

Another frustrated councillor, Lucky Mongale from the Afrikan Alliance for Social Democrats, said the election of Mathae and the removal of DA Speaker Maryke Davies was a travesty of the justice system.

EFF Mangaung Regional Chairperson Gopalang Lipale said the ANC-led council has opened itself up for serious court litigations.

Maryke Davies of the DA was removed as speaker.

ANC Mangaung Regional Committee spokesperson Ncamile Nxangisa has since defended the ruling party, saying Davies was democratically removed as speaker of the council. “The ANC regional chairperson has enjoyed support from both the ANC and opposition parties to assume the responsibility as … speaker. This is in line with the commitment by the ANC to stabilise the Mangaung council.”

Earlier during the day, ANC Cllr. Pulane Mohibidu was elected as acting speaker after Davies recused herself to allow the council to deliberate on the motion. She presided over the confusion and chaos when councillors from different political parties hurled insults at each other, interrupting the proceedings The acting speaker was often at the receiving end of opposition parties’ wrath regarding how she was conduced the business of the day.

‘The ANC voted with ATM and AIC’

But more chaos and drama ensued when the speaker using her discretion as the acting presiding officer slipped the house because councillors could not reach common ground on many factors. She then allowed councillors to vote for the recommendations, which allegedly dealt with the removal of Davies. Eventually 52 councillors voted for the recommendations and 37 voted against.

The ANC voted with ATM and AIC, while the EFF again voted with DA and FF Plus.

DA councillors were adamant that voting for the recommendation did not necessarily mean that the house had voted for the removal of Davies but rather for the tabling of the motion, which was supposed to have been followed up by voting.

However, the speaker and ANC councillors including Council Whip Nikelo Vumile all agreed the council had taken the right decision. Mathae was then elected uncontested as the new speaker. The ANC has again secured all the top political positions in the council including speaker, council whip and executive mayor.

OFM News