ANC-EFF to back Cope councillor for Tshwane mayor

The African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) say they will support newly sworn-in Congress of the People (Cope) councillor, Ofentse Moalusi, as their mayoral candidate for the City of Tshwane.

Tshwane mayor election

Councillors from Tshwane on Tuesday are expected to elect a new executive mayor following the resignation of Randall Williams, a Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, last month.

This will be the third attempt to vote for a new mayor.

Cope‘s former councillor and Tshwane council speaker, Dr Murunwa Makwarela, was previously elected to the post but he stepped down earlier this month after it emerged that he forged his insolvency rehabilitation certificate.

Mayoral candidates

During Tuesday’s council proceedings, Moalusi was sworn in as a councillor. He replaced Cope’s councillor Justice Sefanyetso, who was the replacement for Dr Makwarela.

Sefanyetso was removed as a councillor by his party after he was accused of having two identity numbers and a criminal record.

ANC Tshwane regional secretary George Matjila confirmed that the party and the EFF will back Moalusi for mayor.

The ANC and EFF are in an informal partnership in the Capital City and were previously tipped to support lone-seat Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) councillor, Molwantwa Tshabadi, for the mayoral position.

The DA-led multiparty coalition has put up Cilliers Brink, a DA councillor, as their mayoral candidate.

The DA coalition has the majority of seats in the council and is hopeful Brink will be elected mayor. The coalition has 108 seats while the ANC, EFF and other small parties have 105 seats.

Colleen Makhubele

There were claims that Moalusi is in a romantic relationship with Cope councillor and Johannesburg council speaker, Colleen Makhubele.

Some councillors alleged that Moalusi was parachuted into this position due to his relationship with Makhubele.

Speaking to the media outside council chambers, Cope Gauteng chairperson Tom Mofokeng denied any knowledge of the allegations.

“We are not going to talk about things that come from the streets.

“As a party, we don’t have that allegation put before us. If that’s the case, then it’s something that the party will look into,” said Mofokeng.

Tshwane council speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana granted a two-hour caucus break which was requested by the EFF before councillors could begin with the voting process.

Council proceedings are expected to resume at around 2.30pm.

NOW READ: ‘This meeting is illegal’: Tshwane speaker adjourns sitting to vote on his own removal