Johannesburg – Ousted Johannesburg mayor, Dr. Mpho Phalatse, on Tuesday, said she has filed papers in court to “overturn the unlawful CoJ [City of Joburg] Council meeting” which unseated her last week.
Last week on Friday, the African National Congress (ANC), the Economic Freedom Fighters, and other parties bandied together to form a quorum after the Democratic Alliance (DA) walked out of the controversial council meeting, where a no-confidence vote ousted Dr. Phalatse.
ANC chairperson for Johannesburg Dada Morero was then elected unopposed as the new mayor of Johannesburg. Morero was sworn in the next day.
However, Dr. Phalatse – the leader of the DA in Johannesburg – insists her ousting as mayor was unlawful in that specific Council rules were not followed.
Last week on Friday the court dismissed Dr. Phalatse’s application to interdict the Council meeting that ousted her.
Unfazed, Dr. Phalatse on Tuesday said: “I have filed papers in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg to have last week’s special council meeting of the City of Johannesburg declared unlawful.
“We will not stand by while the ANC and its allies use corrupt means to grab power.”
She said the move to go to court follows the DA leader John Steenhuisen’s sentiments on Friday saying that his party “was not done in Johannesburg”.
Steenhuisen said the DA will continue to fight the forces that put their “greedy agendas ahead of the needs of the citizens of this country”.
Adding to Steenhuisen’s comments on Tuesday, Dr. Phalatse said: “The people of the City voted out the ANC for a better alternative and the DA will fight until the bitter end to ensure that their mandate is served.
“We will focus our attention on regaining the City of Johannesburg and stop the ANC and its partners in the coalition of corruption from looting the city a second time and again paying no heed to the needs of the residents.
“The DA is well aware of the anger and frustration residents may be feeling, especially if your vote was one of those sold to get the ANC back, but rest assured that the DA will not back down or give in.
“We expect the matter to be heard on Tuesday, (11 October 2022).”
