By REGINALD KANYANE
The Greater Taung Local Municipality continues to be marred with pandemonium. This comes after mayor, Kgosi Nnyoko Charles Motlhabane was ousted from his mayoral position through a motion of no confidence on Tuesday.
The motion was tabled by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and was not opposed by ANC councillors after being seconded by another EFF member, Amogelang Matuane. EFF regional secretary in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Justice Dabampe said they sponsored the motion because Motlhabane allegedly misled the council.
“We have sponsored this motion precisely because service delivery in Greater Taung has collapsed. Motlhabane has also abused the taxpayers’ money by frequently using the mayoral vehicle for his own personal use, instead of attending to the challenges affecting the communities.
“Again, Motlhabane misled the council in a sense that, he said he does not know if whether his executive committee is effective or not. However, he knew very well that some of the executive members were not active and he had a report to prove that,” Dabampe said.
He further said by so doing, Motlhabane broke his own oath of office by lying deliberately and distorted facts in a council sitting. Dabampe added that as EFF, they believe that this is a step towards the right directions to remove the ANC from power.
The F4SD councillor, Mika Moeti shared the same sentiments. Moeti said they have experienced the paralyses within the municipality’s Portfolio Committee and the Executive, lack of service delivery and lack of accountability.
“We support the motion and we believe that the newly-elected mayor, Oageng Seleke will take the municipality forward because of his vast experience and knowledge within the municipality.
“The municipality failed to submit its Annual Financial Statements (AFS) to the Office of the Auditor General (AG). In the past, there was no oversight done by the political head to ensure that there is accountability,” Moeti said.
He said Motlhabane also failed to ensure that he holds the administration accountable and addresses corruption allegations that were levelled against the municipality.
Meanwhile, the municipal speaker, Ebusang Tladi confirmed that indeed Motlhabane was removed as the mayor. Tladi said he received two motions of no confidence against the mayor from the EFF and F4SD.
“The EFF tabled the motion during a special council meeting today. Now, in terms of rules of orders, Section 28.7 explicates that the Speaker should include motions in the agenda according to the order of priority. The rule also elucidates that if those motions were not opposed, will be conceded as they were.
“Only motions that were opposed have conversed and that’s what happened. So, the EFF presented their motion and it was seconded without being opposed. I check with the acting Municipal Manager if there were anyone opposing the motion, however, there was no one hence the motion was processed without being discussed,” he said.
Oageng Seleke was elected as the new mayor unopposed and he is expected to be sworn in soon. Motlhabane is the second mayor to be ousted in a week after the Madibeng Local Municipality mayor, Jostinah Mothibe was ousted recently.
The Guardian 