NHM awaits Bishop Jones’ ‘resignation’ from ELM

SEDIBENG.- Sedibeng Ster has reported extensively about the conflict between Jones, who was the leader of the NHM going to the recent local elections where the party won a seat in the ELM and he was appointed ELM MMC for ELM Public Works.

Recently a ‘new’ executive committee emerged after being elected at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Center under the leadership of Benjamin Motsukunyane. This leadership has written a letter to the ELM Municipal Manager (MM) demanding the removal of Jones who is said to deem the new executive group illegitimate. NHM, ANC, PAC, Patriotic Alliance, Solidarity Party, and Vaal Party are in a coalition at the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM), making it one of the major decision makers at the municipality. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Motsukunyane said that the ELM Speaker, Sibongile Soxuza received their letter and is awaiting Jones’ resignation.

“The New Horizon Movement (NHM) under the recently democratically elected leadership, has recalled Vincent Jones. The Emfuleni Municipal Manager (Mr Leseane) was served with a letter from New Horizon Movement on the 30th of August 2022 to action the process of removing Vincent Jones as New Horizon Movement representative in Council. The Speaker of the Council and Vincent Jones were also served with letters,” said Motsukunye.

When asked who NHM sees replacing Jones in the ELM, Motsukunyane said the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC’s) processes will take place.

Meanwhile, although being an independent party, Motsukunyane told Sedibeng Ster that NHM has thrown their support behind former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, Mmusi Maimane who will be launching a still to be announced political party in Soweto over the weekend. ELM Spokesperson, Makhosonke Sangweni said: “ As the Municipality we have not received anything from the mentioned organization or anyone in relation to MMC Jones.”

Sedibeng Ster has reported that Bishop Vincent Jones has deemed the ‘new’ NHM executive committee illegal.