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DA to challenge illegal appointment of new Makana mayor

By

Dear MyPE

The Democratic Alliance in Makana Municipality is considering legal action against the Council after the Speaker ignored the law in order to appointment the new Mayor last Friday.

The DA walked out of Friday’s Special Council meeting in protest after the Speaker of the Council, Rachel Madinda Isaacs, ignored provisions of the Municipal Structures Act and allowed the “election” of Cllr Nomhle Gaga to proceed without a secret ballot.

This irregular process casts doubts over the legality of Cllr Gaga’s appointment as Mayor. The DA will not partake in proceedings where the law is treated with such contempt.

The Speaker ignored the advice of the acting Municipal Manager who confirmed that a secret ballot must be held when there is more than one nomination, according to the law.

Two names were put forward, those of Cllr Les Reynolds (DA) and Cllr Nomhle Gaga (ANC). It is clear that the ANC were terrified that their very own councillors would vote for a DA Mayor.

Why else would they not allow a secret ballot?

These proceedings took place following the resignation of disgraced former Mayor, Zamuxolo Peter on Thursday. Cllr Peter’s tenure as Executive Mayor was marked by turmoil and instability in the Makana Municipality.

The DA will now seek legal advice to ensure that the Makana Council follows the law. We believe that the decision to appoint the new Mayor should be set aside and the process reconvened.

We believe that change is coming to Makana, change that will bring freedom, fairness and opportunity to residents of the municipality.

Change that will deliver a new DA government in 2016 to put Makana back on track to become the prosperous municipality we know it can be.

Regards

Les Reynolds

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