Council chaos as mayor and Speaker elected amid walkouts

COUNCIL was once again thrown into disarray yesterday as it convened for a second attempt to elect a new Sol Plaatje executive mayor and Speaker.

Martha Bartlett was adorned with the mayoral chain while Dipuo Peters was dressed in the Speaker’s robe after opposition parties, with the exception of GOOD, stormed out of the meeting.

The EFF also left the sitting as they refused to be part of an “illegal process”.

Councillors did not budge when security was called in to remove them after they were told to “sit down and keep quiet”.

Opposition parties argued that Bartlett and Peters needed to be sworn in again, as the council meeting in which they were appointed as ANC proportional representative (PR) councillors last week was declared null and void.

At the start of the meeting, ACDP councillor Roddy Loff demanded that Bartlett and Peters “pack their bags and leave the chambers” as they had not been sworn in according to the procedures.

“We requested the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, as well as the South African Local Government Association, to intervene because the municipal manager was too headstrong to be advised. However, we are still waiting for a response,” said Loff.

He added that they had also obtained legal advice that was contrary to what the council had implemented.

“The new councillors were not legally sworn in, while the municipal manager did not have legal standing to oversee the election of the two PR councillors. This can have serious legal implications.”

Councillors also called for the municipal manager, Thapelo Matlala, to step down as the presiding officer and appoint an acting Speaker.

EFF councillor Kenneth Kock questioned in what capacity the municipal manager was acting.

“We don’t want you to be the Speaker. In terms of legislation, the municipal manager must appoint an acting Speaker.”

EFF councillor Pontsho Mocwana warned Matlala that he would land the municipality in “hot water” as the vacancies had not been properly declared and the new councillors had not been sworn in according to the procedures.

DA caucus chairperson Elize Niemann added that the necessary documentation for the vacancies had not been circulated.

“Why is it being put under a blanket? Is there something that council is trying to hide?” she asked.

Niemann said they would request Coghsta, as well as the minister, to investigate the appointments.

The FF+ and PA also walked out of the meeting, declaring that they did not wish to participate in what they deemed to be illegal proceedings.

ANC chief whip Martin White rescinded an earlier recommendation to appoint an acting Speaker after legal advisers from the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs were consulted.

He added that the municipal manager held the power to appoint a new mayor and Speaker.

Matlala stated that he had declared the vacancies after receiving confirmation from the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

He claimed that Bartlett and Peters were permitted to sit in on the council meeting.

“If you have any challenges, I advise you to seek legal recourse. The replacement of councillors is not up for debate,” Matlala advised councillors.

He ordered security to remove rowdy council members.

After being appointed as Speaker, Peters pledged to foster a culture of respect and constructive debate in the council chambers.

“I will listen and serve, and ensure that everyone has access to basic services and social justice,” she said.

Bartlett stated that she was humbled to serve the people and would work hard to address service delivery issues.

Both Peters and Bartlett were not re-sworn in as PR councillors prior to their election as Speaker and mayor, respectively.