“No confidence in the Mayor”- ANC councillors

LEPHALALE - Lephalale might be without its Mayor today (Friday) as a vote of no confidence will be filed against Mayor Johanna Mojela at a special council meeting during the course of the day. At the scheduled council meeting on Tuesday, ANC councillors turned on the Mayor and threatened to take away her office keys and fire her staff.

They demanded that she apologise for her interference in the short listing process for the municipal manager (MM) position. The Mayor apologised but said that she still believes that she is right. Councillors were not happy with her apology and it was decided to follow procedure and announce a special council meeting for today to give sufficient reasons for the no confidence vote. 

It was reported in the Northern News last week that the Mayor demanded to draft her own short list of candidates as she believes that she has the authority to appoint an MM.

According to the Municipal Systems Act, however, the Council is tasked with appointing an MM, the Mayor signs the contract on behalf of the council. Should the Mayor be ousted, a by-election should follow.