Dr Jakaza, who will be sworn in as the new Ekurhuleni metro mayor, is attending ANC Ekurhuleni's media briefing on governance developments in the city in OR Tambo Administrative Region. (O.J. Koloti/Gallo Images)
- Dr Nkosindiphile Ghakadza has been appointed as the new mayor of Ekurhuleni, replacing Sibuile Ngodwana.
- The council meeting was adjourned as the ANC and EFF discussed leadership positions, and Mr Xhakaza was nominated without a vote.
- Mr. Jakaza's election ends a nearly two-week absence of mayoral leadership after two failed attempts to elect a new mayor.
The Ekurhuleni metro full council has appointed Dr Nkosindiphile Ghakadza as the new mayor.
Mr. Jakaza was nominated unopposed to replace Mr. Sibuil Godwana, and his removal has left the city without an executive mayor for about two weeks.
The Ekurhuleni City Council meeting to elect a new executive mayor began almost three hours late as the ANC and EFF called a meeting to decide who would take the leadership position.
Thursday's vote was the third attempt to elect a new mayor since former African Independence Congress (AIC) mayor Sibuil Godwana was removed in a no-confidence vote on March 28.
According to the Local Government Structure Law, the council must elect a new mayor within seven days.
However, Speaker Nthabiseng Chibunga last Thursday postponed an extraordinary council meeting to elect a new executive mayor.
In response, Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, e-Government and Research and Development, Muzi Khumalo, said he was not impressed with Thursday's delay as it appeared the parties had not yet reached a decision.
Chibunga spent the morning with Khumalo. The MEC had said Cogta would not accept the postponement.
Mr Khumalo added that if the vote had been deadlocked on Thursday, a coin toss would have taken place, meaning the decision on who would lead the municipality would have been left to chance.
He said this was proof the country was not ready for a coalition government and urged people to keep an eye on what was happening in Ekurhuleni and remember the coalition mess when they went to the polls next month. he added.
At 12:25, ANC Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi entered the parliamentary gallery as the ANC caucus entered.
Lesufi said negotiations between the ANC and EFF were not easy and at one point broke down.
But in the end, he said, the two parties were able to come together for a majority coalition to win the mayor's seat.
