ANC voted in at Ekurhuleni’s inaugural council meeting
Ekurhuleni’s council host its inaugural meeting to elect a new mayor, speaker of council and chief whip.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2016/08/IMG_2800_96786.jpg)
The Ekurhuleni council met for its inaugural council meeting, at the Germiston Council Chambers, last Tuesday.
A sense of excitement hung over the civic centre as people sang outside and officials bustled around the council chambers.
The meeting was presided over by secretary of council Nana Moloi, as the city manager, who resigned just days before the meeting, was not in attendance.
The meeting began with the newly elected councillors taking their oaths, before the IEC stepped in to assist in the voting in of the new executive mayor, speaker of council and chief whip.
A total of 224 councillors participated in the first voting process which saw the ANC’s Patricia Kumalo re-elected as Ekurhuleni’s speaker.
She received 117 votes, while Clr Shadow Shabangu from the DA received 106 votes, with one spoiled vote.
“It is a great honour to be elected as speaker again,” she said as she took her seat as speaker.
“I remain truly humbled and will endeavour to run this council chamber with integrity and impartiality.”
![Clr Patricia Kumalo takes her seat as speaker of council after winning the vote over the DA’s candidate Clr Shadow Shabangu.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2016/08/IMG_2842_06987-520x390.jpg)
The councillors’ attention then turned to the executive mayor.
Clr Mzwandile Masina, of the ANC, and Ghaleb Cachalia, of the DA, were both nominated for the position.
But it was Masina who was named the winner after a secret vote.
He received 117 votes, while Cachalia received 106 votes, with one spoiled vote.
![Clr Mzandile Masina from the ANC was elected as the executive mayor of Ekurhuleni during a secret vote held in the Germiston Council Chambers, last Tuesday.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2016/08/IMG_2849_11091-520x390.jpg)
Finally councillors voted for the chief whip of council.
Clr Jongizizwe Dlabathi from the ANC clinched the title with 117 votes ahead of the DA candidate Tania Campbell’s 107 votes.
The meeting was brought to a close with the new mayor addressing the crowds gathered outside the civic centre.
“I am extremely humbled and honoured to stand before you today as the new executive mayor of Ekurhuleni,” he said.
“Thank you for showing faith in me to run this maverick city and I promise that I shall do my best to ensure that ours is a good story to tell at all times.”
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