MAYOR OF Johannesburg Dr Mpho Phalatse seems to live another day.
This follows the court’s interdict on Monday night, by Judge Mgcini Malindi who interdicted a meeting called by chair of chairs Colleen Makhubele from taking place.
Opposition parties had tabled a motion of no confidence against the Mayor, following the removal of Speaker Vasco Da Gama, recently.
As a huge sigh of relief, Phalatse was saved by her skin, for now.
On Monday, lawyers representing the City of Johannesburg and acting City manager Bryne Maduka argued the meeting called to replace Da Gama as speaker and table a motion of no confidence against Phalatse be interdicted.
Multiparty coalition partners in the City of Joburg opened a criminal case after allegations emerged of bribery in exchange for votes during last week’s council sitting, where speaker Vasco da Gama was voted out through a motion of no confidence.
Funzi Ngobeni MMC for Transport says the interdict is a victory for the City. “ We’re taking legal action against Makhubela for what she claims to be. As the City we’re very worried on Makhubela’s conduct and should be removed by end of this month,” warned Ngobeni.
Reacting to the ruling, Phalatse said the City and the multi-party coalition had long contended that the office of the speaker remained vacant until such time that Maduka convenes a sitting of council to elect an acting speaker or speaker from among the members of the house.
“The actions of councillor Makhubele and those who backed and bankrolled her illegal actions must be condemned in the harshest of terms. These actions have only sought to create confusion in the minds of residents and undermine the laws of the country and the rules of council, all in an effort to grab power at all costs.”
Image (Safe for now. The Mayor of Joburg Dr Mpho Phalatse saved by court interdict to be removed through vote of no confidence).
