By Libuseng Nyaka
The executive mayor of Maluti -A- Phofung local municipality, Vusi Tshabalala, narrowly escaped a vote of no confidence tabled by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Monday. The motion was postponed for safety reasons.
The vote of no confidence proceedings to unseat Tshabalala had already begun when they were disrupted by violent behavior and criminal activities which threatened the safety of councilors.
The EFF’s Mahlomola Majake piloted the motion of no confidence and put forward a number of accusations against the mayor.
Majake piloted the motion
“The mayor has failed to perform the duties of his office and the municipality has experienced a lot of challenges due to maladministration.”
“The mayor has failed to perform the duties of his office and the municipality has experienced a lot of challenges due to maladministration.”
It is alleged that someone inside the chambers had leaked information that Tshabalala was being unseated bas he was losing the co confidence vote.
A few minutes later supporters of the EFF and members of the South Africa Municipal Workers Union SAMWU started celebrating, singing revolutionary songs, ululating and blowing vuvuzela.
This did not go down well with members of ANC – mostly supporters of the mayor – who had been ferried from the rural areas of QwaQwa. They rushed and tried to force their way into the chambers but were blocked by security personnel who had to use tear gas to contain them.
One of the rioters was heard saying, “We cannot allow our leader to be endangered. We are here to protect him because he has been elected by the majority.”
Councilors were later seen leaving the chambers after Majake had requested postponement of the debate fearing for their safety.
“I am not corrupt; without proof all this remains just that – unfounded allegations,” quipped Tshabalala.
In an interview after the special council sitting’s adjournment, Majake said: “The motion of no confidence did not fail but was sabotaged; it was disrupted. We could not go out because the pepper spray (lachrymator) was choking people while ANC supporters wanted to force their way into the chambers.”
Majake was however confident that the next sitting would be a success.
“We will not be deterred by this behavior; we will not rest until Tshabalala resigns,” Majake added
Responding to the allegations Tshabalala said those who accuse him of corruption should lodge a case in court.
Meanwhile Tshabalala led the singing in celebration of victory after the foiled motion of no confidence against him. More than 200 supporters joined him in song.
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