Solly Msimanga to step down as Tshwane mayor

DA city of Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga announced on Friday that he was stepping down from the position to focus on his run for Gauteng premier.

BREAKING NEWS: Tshwane mayor @SollyMsimanga has announced his resgination as the mayor, stating it is to focus on his Gauteng Premier campaign. @Our_DA @TheCitizen_News @CityTshwane

— Rorisang Kgosana (@therealrorisang) January 18, 2019

Msimanga’s term in the mayoral office will come to an end next month, giving him more time to campaign for the position of premier of the Gauteng province as he is the DA’s candidate.

Msimanga's resignation will be finalised by the second week of February. @SollyMsimanga @TheCitizen_News @CityTshwane

— Rorisang Kgosana (@therealrorisang) January 18, 2019

A new mayor will be elected in February by council. @SollyMsimanga @TheCitizen_News @CityTshwane

— Rorisang Kgosana (@therealrorisang) January 18, 2019

Expectations are that Msimanga’s position will be taken up by speaker Katlego Mathebe.

Last year, the African National Congress (ANC) in Tshwane sought to have Msimanga removed through a motion of no confidence, which was unsuccessful.

I am proud of our record in Tshwane under the DA-led multiparty coalition government.

We have started to systematically remove the rot that had been festering in the city and placed the delivery of basic services at the forefront of our agenda. pic.twitter.com/SrrC1JFPVz

— Solly Msimanga (@SollyMsimanga) January 18, 2019

The ANC wanted Msimanga removed because the party said he had knowledge of an alleged R12 billion irregular tender with engineering company GladAfrica.

Tshwane city manager Moeketsi Mosola was accused of the tender blunder with GladAfrica.

Msimanga was last year accused of improperly appointing the former mayoral chief of staff Marietha Aucamp.

The DA is expected to hold a press briefing shortly.

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