Phalatse ousted as Joburg mayor, 139 councillors voted in support

Despite pleas to Joburg residents from its mayor to keep her job, Mpho Phalatse has been ousted with 139 councillors voting in support of her removal.

The sitting was convened by newly elected Speaker Colleen Makhubele. Makhubele presided over a chaotic sitting with numerous interruptions and points of order.

But Makhubele ignored the disruptions and proceeded with the house business of the day, passing the motion to remove Phalatse.

The IFP abstained from the vote and Makhubela has since allowed for a caucus break before forging ahead with voting in a new mayor.

Earlier on Friday, Phalatse filed an urgent interdict to stop the meeting from going ahead. She is also looking to have the motion in which Makhubela was appointed as Speaker be declared invalid.

Phalatse’s mayoral committee would be immediately dissolved by default.

Compiled by Narissa Subramoney