The Joburg caucus of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will be the kingmakers when the vote of no confidence in Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba is tabled.
The EFF spokesperson, Silumko Mabona, said the ‘frivolous’ motion of no confidence in the mayor and the speaker of council, Vasco Da Gama, has left the party on a knife’s edge because of the EFF’s stance of staying away from council meetings.
“We do not know if we will be attending the no-confidence council meeting (on 26 and 27 September). That will depend on what the national structure says,” Mabona said.
Mabona agreed that the vote could succeed if the EFF did not attend the meeting, like they did with the August council meeting across all municipalities. He did, however, say: “We will not have an ANC-led Joburg. People did not vote for it.”
Dr Liela Groenewald said the EFF would need to break away from the party’s national stance if they want to be consistent with their initial disapproval of Mashaba.
If the vote succeeds, a new mayor will be elected.
Groenewald added that the EFF will have to attend the meeting if it wants a new mayor and also if it wants the ANC, who filed the motion, to remain on the opposition benches.
Linus Muller‚ the Chief of Staff to the City of Johannesburg Speaker said, “The vote will succeed if 50 per cent of the quorum plus one councillor votes against Mashaba.” If the vote succeeds, the City Manager, Dr Ndhivho Lukhwareni, will assume the position of mayor until a new mayor is elected.
Until the EFF decides whether it will attend the meeting or not, Mashaba’s future as the City’s mayor is shrouded in secrecy.
Related articles:
EFF doesn’t show up for Joburg council meeting, ANC leaves
