Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) whip, Jerry Sibiya, was sworn in as AbaQulusi’s new deputy mayor at a special council meeting this morning.
This follows after former deputy mayor, Cllr Lucia Zwane, handed in a letter of resignation from her position as deputy mayor and as a member of the council’s Executive Committee (Exco), where she served as the portfolio chairperson of the Technical Services department.
ALSO READ: DA exposes fraud in Technical Services Department
AND: Mayor delivers a message of hope to Vryheid Tourism
After Cllr Zwane’s letter of resignation was tabled before the council, Cllr Jerry Sibiya was nominated for the position by the IFP, and Cllr TZ Nkosi was nominated by the African National Congress (ANC).
The IFP’s working-relationship with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) led to Cllr Sibiya being voted in with 23 votes, to Cllr Nkosi’s 20 votes.
Cllr Mazibuko from the ANC was denied voting privileges after arriving more than 25 minutes late for the council meeting.
Cllr Sibiya’s appointment was greeted with applause and congratulations from all members of the council, including Cllr Zwane, who offered Cllr Sibiya a warm congratulatory hug after he was officially sworn in.
“As a councillor and the deputy mayor of AbaQulusi, I am committed to clean governance, giving services in an honest and fair way to our consumers, and ensuring that the staff are committed to Batho Pele principles, putting residents first,” said Cllr Sibiya.
Former chairman of the AbaQulusi Ratepayers Association, Doug Grewar, said he was sorry to see Cllr Zwane go as she is a nice lady who supported the Paddadam project.
