With bated breath everyone is awaiting the outcome of the Inaugural Council meeting held on 22 August.
Will there be a new mayor for the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality?
Great anticipation here at the City Hall in the Joburg CBD ahead of the induction of a new Municipal Council^LN pic.twitter.com/I6ncSVBl5i
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) August 22, 2016
Of the 270 elected councillors 268 were sworn in by Judge Mlambo as two candidates had withdrawn.
The DA’s Herman Mashaba was one of those sworn in.
#JHBCouncil The public gallery bursts into cheers as Herman Mashaba's name is called out. He's one of 270 Councillors being sworn in here^LN
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) August 22, 2016
Members of the EFF, dressed in their trademark overalls, cheered loudly as members were called forward to be sworn in.
#JHBCouncil EFF members cheer loudly, sing & ululate as their members, dressed in trademark red Overalls are called out to be sworn in^LN
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) August 22, 2016
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) representatives were also present to assist with the process of electing the Speaker of Council. The ANC nominated Constance Bapela, while the DA nominated Councillor Vasco Da Gama as candidates for the position of Speaker. Ballot papers were issued to all present and voting commenced, but was interrupted by a skirmish in the public gallery.
Proceedings are disrupted as a skirmish erupts in the public gallery; police sent to bring normalcy^LN #JoburgMayor #JHBCouncil #Joburg
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) August 22, 2016
After the situation was brought under control, the councillors were called one by one to cast their vote, but the process was halted again because the IEC representatives noticed something causing concern. It turned out that a councillor revealed for whom he had voted and that necessitated the process of casting a secret ballot to be explained.
Voting has been halted temporarily to deal with "how a secret ballot is cast", after one Councillor revealed who he had voted for^LN #Joburg
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) August 22, 2016
Voting was interrupted again after a scuffle between the EFF Deputy Minister and an unknown councillor. The latter had to be physically restrained.
There was no other option but to adjourn the meeting.
#JHBCouncil forced to adjourn after a scuffle broke out between party agents over the secret ballot & voting process; things now in limbo^LN
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) August 22, 2016
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said they will decide on the free and fairness after all votes are counted and counting of votes for the Speaker of the Council is now underway.
IEC says it'll determine the free & fairness of the election once all votes have been counted^LN #Joburg #JoburgMayor #JHBCouncil
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) August 22, 2016
After counting all votes cast by members the newly elected Speaker of Council is the DA’s Vasco Da Gama.
The newly elected Speaker of the City of Joburg Council is the DA's Vasco Da Gama^LN #JoburgMayor #JHBCouncil #Joburg
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) August 22, 2016
While we are eagerly awaiting these results, tell us who you would like to see as CoJ mayor – Parks Tau or Herman Mashaba?
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