The DA is calling for an urgent special council meeting to elect a new mayor and chief whip and deal with the ‘unlawful budget’ so that the Dr Beyers Naude Municipality (DBNLM) can stabilise after municipal officials, including the municipal manager, have allegedly called for an illegal ‘tools down’ strike.
Vicky Knoetze, DA shadow minister for GoGTA said, “This rogue municipality has not just broken the law, it is now defying the law. The open defiance of the rule of law cannot be tolerated.”
Knoetze added that their actions follow a court order on the matter where the DA took the DBNM and others, including the MEC of CoGTA, Xolile Nqatha, to court.
The court order declared the election of the mayor, Willem Säfers and chief whip of council Thembekile Spogter, invalid and unlawful, and the subsequent passing of the municipal budget as unlawful and inconsistent with the Constitution.
ICYMI | New mayor elected for Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality
“The municipal manager’s [Edward Rankwana] actions show there is a clear political alignment. Instead of calling for a special council meeting, he is allegedly calling for instability, to the detriment of the residents,” Knoetze said.
She said the DA has written to Nqatha to call for his intervention and leadership in ensuring stability and that service delivery is not disrupted.
The DA further requested the MEC ensures that a special council meeting is called before the end of this week, for the election of a new Mayor and chief whip.
“MEC Nqatha must also anticipate and consider recommendations from the newly elected mayor, in terms of section 139 intervention, noting that the municipal budget was set aside by the court order and the new financial year has commenced. This means that section 55 of the Municipal Finance Management Act takes effect, in terms of which the newly elected mayor must approach the MEC to make a recommendation in terms of appropriate section 139 Constitutional intervention by the province.
“Above all else, it is of critical importance that service delivery is not hampered in any way during this period.”
