30-04-2025
Motion to remove mayor and speaker of Ekurhuleni fails
Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and council speaker Nthabiseng Tshivhenga have both survived motions of no confidence brought against them during a heated council sitting last week Thursday at the OR Tambo Precinct.
The motion against Tshivhenga was the third attempt since her appointment.
The DA as the sponsor of the motion cited frustration over what they described as the speaker's inconsistent leadership and alleged bias in managing council proceedings.
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Despite this, the motion failed to secure enough support, with a narrow majority voting to keep Tshivhenga in office.
Lucky Dinake, DA City of Ekurhuleni chief whip, expressed disappointment that the speaker still remains in her position.
'During her tenure as speaker of this council, we have witnessed a systematic failure of leadership that has undermined the very foundations of our democratic processes,' said Dinake.
He said this is not about politics but principle. 'The speaker has repeatedly demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the rules and procedures that govern this council.
'Council meetings have been manipulated, opposition voices silenced, and crucial debates stifled.
'When members seek to raise points of order, they are ignored. When questions are posed, they are dismissed. When accountability is demanded, it is denied,' said Dinake.
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He said this was evident in the breakdown of order in the council chambers in November 2023 under her watch.
A resolution of council on this matter was adopted in January where it was requested that she offer council a formal apology.
'She blatantly ignored the council resolutions and that speaks volumes about the dismissive attitude the speaker holds toward this democratic institution and its decisions,' said Dinake.
Tshivhenga expressed her gratitude to the parties who voted for her. 'We thank all the political parties that have supported me and ensured the motion was not successful.'
She expressed that this motion is based on an old issue that was resolved already.
''We can't allow residents to be compromised by allowing councillors to collapse government; that can't be acceptable,' said Tshivhenga.
She said where she has done wrong she's always willing to apologise and rectify the mistake.
'Where councillors are aggrieved we are willing to address the issue and we must do so. Councillors need to come through when there is a problem to sit down and talk.'
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She ensured residents that there is no crisis in Ekurhuleni. 'Motions cause instability as they disturb service delivery.'
Xhakaza also faced intense scrutiny as councillors debated the city's service delivery performance under his administration.
His motion was sponsored by the Independent Citizen Movement, one of the parties that supported him when he was elected mayor 12 months ago. One of the requests that was made by Mojapelo Lesiba was for the mayor to unite council and ensure all councillors have one mandate which was serving the people and ensuring service delivery was restored.
He said the mayor has failed to honour that mandate.
'The mayor has failed to ensure stability in the city, instead he has sown divisions in council,' said Mojapelo.
He said the motion might not have passed but it has brought to light the cracks in the city.
'We hope this can be a wake-up call for the mayor to do better and bring the stability that the city needs and also rise to the occasion and provide leadership,' said Mojapelo.
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The mayor said his executive has worked hard to turn things around since he came to office 12 months ago.
'It has been a year of stabilisation and strategic repositioning, anchored on a clear two-phase plan designed to repair the institutional damage of the past few years and rebuild public confidence,' said Xhakaza.
He said the establishment of the Joint Political Management Committee fostered collaboration and ongoing consultations across all political parties in council.
'This was not just a mechanism for governance, it was a declaration that Ekurhuleni belongs to its entire people and that their needs must rise above partisan interests,' said the mayor.
ActionSA opposed both motions on the basis that the motions were brought without any consultation with them or presentation of a viable alternative to reconstitute government in the event of their success.
'As a constructive opposition party in Ekurhuleni, ActionSA remains committed to stability, good governance and service delivery. These motions were reckless instruments of political theatre.
'The city does not need it as it's already grappling with governance challenges and financial strains,' said Phillip Dolo, Ekurhuleni caucus leader.
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