The DA has retained power of the Mogale City Local Municipality.
This afternoon at a special council meeting at the Centenary Hall councillor Michael Holenstein was elected as the new Mayor. This comes after Mayor Lynn Pannall resigned last week due to ill health.
The DA beat the ANC’s candidate, councillor Patrick Naga Lipudi by one vote, getting 39 votes while the ANC lost with 38. The City’s Mayoral Committee will remain the same under Holenstein.
“As the ANC we couldn’t make it because there is this one vote that keeps on being a kingmaker.
In the last two months since they took power it has been clear that they are unable to govern in an area where the majority is African,” said the ANC West Rand media liaison, Refentse Mangope.
The DA Provincial leader, John Moody said the DA has complete faith in Mayor Holenstein.
“He has the necessary skills and experience to fulfil the position. He has worked within the municipality for 10 years and we believe that he will build on what councillor Lynn has done for Mogale City,” he told the News.
The ANC has vowed to reflect on what happened today and find a way forward for the party.
Read more:
DA explains why Mayor Lynn resigned
ANC comments on Pannall’s resignation
Who will be the DA mayoral candidate in Mogale City