Urgent interdict to prevent the removal of the acting municipal manager struck off the roll
THE PHOKWANE municipality has a new Mayor and Speaker after an urgent interdict to prevent the removal of the acting municipal manager was struck off the roll on Thursday.
A special council meeting was held with the majority councillors, after judgment was handed down whereby the former mayor, Olebogeng Tumodi, an ANC councillor, was re-elected as mayor and EFF councillor Goitsemodimo Halter was voted in as the new Speaker.
Northern Cape High Court Judge Mpho Mamosebo did not grant the interdict and stated that it did not meet urgent grounds.
“The court cannot be made to treat all matters where a party is aggrieved by a decision or conduct of another as urgent.
“Should that be the case it will create a wrong precedent and open the floodgates of unmerited urgent applications based on the slightest complaints instead of pursuing internal remedies. While each case must be weighed on its own merits, generally the courts should not be the first ports of call in such instances.”
She urged the applicants to argue the matter in the new term.
ANC regional secretary Wende Marekwa claimed that the Phokwane municipality was illegally taken over by opposition parties.
“The ANC in Frances Baard region is shocked to learn of a bogus council meeting convened by the opposition to elect a new Speaker, mayor and acting municipal manager for the Phokwane Local Municipality. This transpired in the absence of a legitimate and democratically elected Speaker, Remaketse Portia Selogilwe.”
He pointed out that the merits of the case would be dealt with at a later date.
“This further clarifies that while the matter is still to be heard before a court of law, the municipal officials and councillors are expected to be responding to the imminent challenges facing the local community, following a dreadful storm which caused severe damage to properties.”
Marekwa called upon the “legitimate” mayor, Tebogo Afrika and Speaker Remaketse Portia Selogilwe to continue to support all households affected by heavy rains and floods in the local municipality.
“It is clear that the opposition parties are blatantly ignoring the rules of council and disregard judgment delivered by the court of law. The sole aim of these opposition parties is to destabilise and delay the acceleration of service delivery to communities.”
He added that the regional disciplinary committee had taken “special interest” in the ANC councillor (Tumodi), who “defied its constitution and policies”.
“They will prudently establish all internal processes.”
