Govan Mbeki Municipality has a newly sworn in Executive Mayor, Cllr Thandi Ngxonono. She was sworn in by the Chief Magistrate Betty Lesufi who reminded her and the mayoral committee that people should come first.
The following members of the mayoral committee were also sworn in and deployed at different portfolios:
Cllr Sakhile Mahlangu (MMC for special Projects); Cllr Daniel Nhlapho (MMC for Technical Services); Cllr Betty Ndaba (MMC for Corporate Services); Cllr Ethel Nkosi (MMC for Planning and Development). Cllr Anthony Makhaya (MMC for Community Services) was absent.
The appointment of a new mayor came after Cllr Flora Maboa-Boltman was recalled by the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC).
Cllr Mabo-Boltman was said to have first refused to resign and a motion of no confidence was planned by her own Party. An extraordinary meeting was called and the ruling party representatives from the regional office were deployed to observe the whole process, including the Independent Electoral Commission representatives. Cllr Moboa-Boltman decided to handover her resignation letter and thanked all the people who worked with her she also mentioned that her party deployed her to another position, also mentioning she will be working as a PR councillor.
The drama unfolded when the opposition parties accused the speaker of the council, Cllr Nhlakanipho Zuma of not being constitutional. They also blamed the speaker for no informing them on time about the decision to remove Cllr Mabosa-Boltman, so that they also prepare to nominate their own candidates for the mayoral position.
The opposition parties walked out of the meeting, while PR Councillor Sbusiso Hlolweni was forcefully removed from the chamber. The recall of Cllr Maboa-Boltman was said to have left a big dent at Kinross ANC Branch. Some ANC members showed their concern of the way ANC is currently removing its mayors in a mysterious way.
The other executive mayor who was recalled not long ago was the mayor of Msukaligwa Municipality, Cllr Solomon Nkosi. The reason for the recalling of Cllr Maboa-Botman was said to be the internal conflicts and alleged financial misconduct.
