Central SA
Sedibeng mayor re-elected after motion of no confidence─── ZENANDE MPAME 13:43 Wed, 19 Feb 2025
Political parties in Sedibeng have expressed their disappointment over the re-election of the mayor as they feel it was time for change.
Lerato Maloka is back in her position after winning by one vote at the special council sitting on Tuesday (18/2) after she was ousted by a motion of no confidence three weeks before.
Maloka beat the DA’s Prudence Hlanyane by 25 votes to 24 in the 49-member council after she was removed in a motion of no confidence tabled by the DA.
“The re-election of Maloka as executive mayor is a stinging indictment against the Sedibeng councillors who voted for more of the same,” said Sedibeng DA leader Sibusiso Dyonase. “It was time for change, but the councillors put the ANC ahead of the people.
“The party will continue to hold the municipality and its political bosses accountable for their actions, at this point we want the community to decide in the upcoming elections.”
A case was opened at the Vereeniging police station for an investigation behind the disruption of Wednesday’s (12/2) council sitting. At the meeting, unknown people threw teargas or pepper spray into the chambers and forced the meeting to be abandoned.
It is alleged councillors were already in chambers when they started smelling teargas or pepper spray. People started coughing and trying to run outside. They were scared and running for their lives. A councillor from the DA collapsed and required medical attention.
‘The decision to reinstate Maloka is an insult to the people’
In the 49-member council, the ANC has 19 seats while the DA has 16, the EFF has six, two each for the FF+ and the PAC, as well as one each for the ACDP, New Horizon Movement, Community Solidarity Association, and VAAL.
“The decision to reinstate Maloka is an insult to the people of Sedibeng whom the party says have endured years without basic services such as clean drinking water, electricity, waste collection and safety,” said Sedibeng EFF chairperson Isaac Khithika.
“By re-nominating a person who has overseen the decline of the municipality and the mismanagement of its finances, the ANC has once again demonstrated its total disregard for the residents of Sedibeng.”
