Home News New council sworn in at Umsobomvu Municipality

New council sworn in at Umsobomvu Municipality

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A new council was sworn in at Umsobomvu Local Municipality on Monday, where the ANC had won a majority of seven seats.

ANC councillor Mzwandile Toto was elected as the executive mayor of Umsobomvu Municipality, while Nandipha Stafa was sworn in as the Speaker on Monday. Picture: Supplied

A NEW council was sworn in at Umsobomvu Local Municipality on Monday, where the ANC filled seven seats, the Umsobomvu Residents Association has four seats and the DA has two seats.

Umsobomvu Municipality spokesperson Siyabulela Phololo said ANC councillor Mzwandile Toto was elected as the executive mayor.

“ANC councillor Nandipha Stafa was sworn in as the Speaker of the municipality and Bulelani Mangaliso was appointed as the ANC chief whip,” said Phololo.

He noted that there were no disruptions during the meeting. Pickets had been held outside the municipality last week, in protest against the alleged intimidation and victimisation of municipal officials and whistle-blowers.

Umsobomvu Residents Association (URA) spokesperson Abongwe Poyo believed that the ANC disregarded the criteria of officials possessing suitable qualifications and experience when they elected the council leaders.

“It appears as if ANC members are given positions on the basis of patronage. If you are in the right faction, you will emerge victorious,” said Poyo.

He added that it was, however, expected that ANC councillors would be appointed to lead the council as they had received the majority vote with 51.83 percent.

“The URA did not propose any candidate to fill the seat of mayor, Speaker or chief whip. We are not here to fill positions but are here to play an oversight role and keep the lid on corruption. We will not be bullied, bought or bribed, we are not here to be friends of the ANC.”

Poyo noted that the URA would serve on the municipal public accounts committee (MPAC).

“We are grateful for this seat as we will take this job seriously and ensure that council is held accountable at all times.”

He said they wanted the new council to withdraw the interdict that was obtained by the previous council to prevent the findings of the forensic investigation into irregularities at the municipality from being implemented.

“We should start with why this decision was taken in the first place. We cannot defend corruption.”

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