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Mzwandile Masina is the new executive mayor of Ekurhuleni and Jongizizwe Dlabathi was elected chief whip – marking a major victory for the ruling party in the East Rand council.
Masina, who was the ANC’s candidate, secured his place with 117 votes, 11 more than those received by Democratic Alliance candidate Ghaleb Cachalia. Yet again, one vote was spoilt.
The chief whip vote saw Dlabathi take 117 of the votes, to the DA candidate, Tania Campbell’s 107. No votes were spoilt.
Their election came after Patricia Kumalo was elected speaker earlier today.
Masina did not give his inaugural address, much to the dismay of DA chief whip candidate Campbell, who questioned why Masina was not addressing the house as indicated in the programme.
Kumalo ruled to continue with the vote for chief whip, after which the executive mayor would address the people of Ekurhuleni.
ANC councillor Robert Mashego then indicated that the mayor would do that if he so wished or postpone to the next seating of council.
Kumalo noted Campbell’s complaint but still proceeded to start nominations for chief whip.
The voting of mayor was delayed slightly when EFF councillor Mampuru Mampuru indicated that a councillor had fallen ill and needed a few minutes to recover. Kumalo gave the EFF councillor time to recover.
A very brief argument ensued between Mampuru and ANC councillors when Mampuru asked that the illness of their councillor be taken seriously in light of the death of an ANC candidate yesterday. Kumalo asked that councillors not make light of such a serious matter.
