Newcastle Deputy Mayor Appointment Ends Two-Year Vacancy After Legal Dispute

Nearly two years of uncertainty, legal proceedings, and parliamentary scrutiny came to an end this week as Newcastle Municipality formally appointed a new Deputy Mayor, filling a post that has stood vacant since the removal of former Deputy Mayor Musa Thwala.

The prolonged vacancy raised growing concerns around governance stability, administrative continuity, and the potential impact on service delivery.

During a special council meeting on Tuesday, 11 February 2026, Councillor Andile Nkosi of Team Sugar South Africa (TSSA) was officially sworn in as Deputy Mayor. His appointment followed a closely contested secret ballot against ActionSA Councillor Shailendra Singh, with Nkosi emerging victorious and bringing long-awaited closure to the leadership deadlock.

The meeting was presided over by Newcastle Speaker Councillor Thengi Zulu and attended by councillors, members of the public, and media representatives.

Proceedings unfolded in a focused but tense atmosphere as the municipality marked a shift in its leadership structure. Before Magistrate Lulama Shabangu, Councillor Nkosi took the oath of office, pledging to uphold the Constitution, execute his duties faithfully, and serve the community with integrity and diligence.

In congratulating Nkosi, Mayor Councillor Xolani Dube underscored the importance of collaborative governance. He stated that the council’s priority remains meeting residents’ needs while maintaining accountability and service delivery standards.

The swearing-in follows heightened scrutiny from national oversight bodies.

On Wednesday, 28 January 2026, the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, together with the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, questioned Newcastle Municipality over the prolonged vacancy. Both committees flagged the governance and operational risks posed by the delay and stressed the urgency of resolving the matter.

Explaining the circumstances surrounding the vacancy, Mayor Dube said:

“The Deputy Mayor was removed through a motion of no confidence, and he then took the matter to court.”

Although the case was initially struck off the roll, Thwala pursued an appeal. Subsequent proceedings identified procedural irregularities that required attention, drawing the municipality into extended litigation.

Mayor Dube further explained that, given the legal complexities, council resolved that it would be inappropriate to appoint a new Deputy Mayor while the court matter remained unresolved.

The decision was taken as a precautionary measure, should the municipality have been unsuccessful in court, despite what he described as a strong legal position.

Nevertheless, parliamentary committees made it clear that the Deputy Mayor’s office could not remain vacant indefinitely. They urged the municipality to act decisively, emphasising that the position is central to governance continuity and effective service delivery.

As previously reported by Newcastillian News on 28 March 2024, Councillor Musa Thwala was removed from office following a special council meeting. The municipality cited his absence from three consecutive council meetings as grounds for the motion of no confidence.

At the time, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were absent from the meeting, which prevented the motion from being formally tabled.

However, two local councillors confirmed that a resolution was adopted to remove Thwala and replace him with a representative from his party, TSSA. Thwala also lost his seat on the Executive Committee.

He subsequently challenged the removal in court, arguing that proper procedures had not been followed and that the decision compromised his standing within both the municipality and his party.

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With Councillor Andile Nkosi now formally in office, Newcastle Municipality closes a chapter defined by litigation and political uncertainty.

While the Deputy Mayor’s seat has now been filled, council must still address the administrative and governance pressures that developed during the protracted vacancy. The episode underscores the importance of procedural clarity and decisive action, particularly when legal disputes intersect with executive leadership roles.

Ensuring that similar delays are avoided in future will be central to maintaining institutional stability and public confidence.

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Do not forget to read, Why Newcastle Municipality Owes Eskom R662 Million Again After Settling Debt in 2023, if you missed it.

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