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After facing internal turmoil, the eMadlangeni (Utrecht ) Local Municipality is now addressing the issue around the Municipality’s mayorship and whether Cllr Lindile Mhlungu will continue her role as the town’s Mayor or not.
eMadlangeni Municipality spokesperson, Ayanda Mabaso explains, “The Municipality held an Ordinary Council meeting on Thursday, 11 March 2021, wherein, among other items, a Motion for the removal of the Mayor from Office was tabled before Council.”
At the meeting, the Acting Municipal Manager, Stanley de Klerk, and the Ministerial Representative advised the Council that such a motion should be processed in terms of the legislative framework, which includes the following:
- Section 33 of the RSA Constitution Act 108 of 1996.
- Sections 37(f) of Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998 as amended.
- Schedule 1 to the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000, as amended, especially Clause 13 of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.
- Rules 28.10 and 28.12 of the Standing Rules and Orders of eMadlangeni Local Municipality.
While the Council was advised to follow the proper procedure, it did not.
Mabaso elaborates saying, during the voting process at the Council meeting; four Councillors left the Council Chamber before voting took place, while seven Councillors remained. “Among the seven Councillors who remained in the Council Chamber, one stated he would not participate at all, and two abstained from voting. Four Councillors in the Chamber then cast their votes in favour of the removal of the Mayor from Office.”
Following this, the Ministerial Representative and Acting Municipal Manager, de Klerk, engaged with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs legal team to seek legal advice regarding Council’s process to remove the Mayor from office.
Subsequently, the legal opinion obtained is that Cllr Mhlungu will retain her title as the eMadlangeni Municipality mayor.
Regarding a post making its rounds on social media stating otherwise, Mabaso announces the public is urged to ignore it, as Cllr Mhlungu will remain the Mayor of the Municipality until proper legal processes are followed for her removal, if that has to happen.
In concluding, he says, “The community will be gladly informed in all municipal communication platforms, about whatever developments crop up in this regard.”
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