Pretoria – African National Congress (ANC) backed Dr. Murunwa Makwarela has been elected the new executive mayor of the City of Tshwane.
Dr. Makwarela, from the Congress of the People (COPE), replaces Randall Williams, the Democratic Alliance (DA) member who resigned under a cloud earlier this month.
Williams, accused of poor financial management of the city, resigned as mayor on the eve of a no-confidence motion he was to face.
Soon after the election on Tuesday, the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) congratulated Dr. Makwarela on his election as the executive mayor of the City of Tshwane.
Dr. Makwarela secured 112 votes, with his challenger the former DA MP Cilliers Brink only managing 101 – even though the coalition had more numbers, meaning some Councillors voted against their parties.
The ANC also congratulated “all the other parties represented in the Tshwane Council who put to an end the reign of racialism, mediocrity, inept and uncaring DA lead coalition government that has bankrupted the city of Tshwane and brought service delivery to a complete halt and the city on its knees”.
The ANC said under the DA-led multiparty government, the Tshwane municipality “has not only regressed for the worst but has experienced unprecedented instability in governance after changing five mayors in less than five years and reshuffling the mayoral committee numerous times”.
Commenting on the election, the DA multi-party coalition – that no longer includes ActionSA – expressed its disappointment at the election of Dr. Makwarela as the Mayor of Tshwane.
“The multi-party coalition has held a majority since taking office in 2021 and continues to hold a majority of seats in council,” said the DA-led coalition.
“‘As has become standard with the ANC and EFF, it is clear that some councillors from within the coalition were induced to break ties with the coalition and support Makwarela.”
Coalition partners spokesperson Dr. Cornè Mulder said the election of Mayors and Speakers under the secret ballot required in legislation has created a culture of bribery in municipal councils.
“This coalition condemns, in the harshest terms, those councillors who accept election on the back of partys campaigning for change only to assist the ANC and EFF to get elected against the will of the residents of Tshwane,” said Dr. Mulder.
“All parties within the coalition will work to identify those who sold out the residents of Tshwane and the coalition.
“These councillors will be removed and replaced with urgency ahead of a motion of no confidence that will be tabled to remove Makwarela from his ill-gotten office.”
