Margaret Arnolds has been appointed the new speaker of the council of the City of Joburg.
Arnolds from the African Independent Congress was elected unopposed during a special extra-ordinary council session which was boycotted by the Democratic Alliance, DA.
She replaces former speaker, Colleen Makhubele, who was fired last week by her party Congress of the People, after she aligned herself with South African Rainbow Alliance, without the party’s approval.
She said her previous experience as the chairperson of two committees and a Member of the Mayoral Committee will help her execute the work of the speaker’s office.
In her acceptance speech, she thanked the support from her party and minority parties and said there’s no need for much change.
“I don’t have to rectify a lot. All that we’re doing is that we’re now going to be able to have all the work that needs to be done in the city executed.
Our next council sitting is next week, and programming will be sometime during this week.
That is all we’re thinking about to ensure that we deal with the issues of council, so that we’re able to deliver services because if we don’t have council sittings, we can’t deliver services,” said Arnolds.
She said she’s not deterred by the DA motion against her, adding that the DA doesn’t have enough numbers to succeed.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the DA said it boycotted the sitting as it was a waste of money, alleging that it cost the municipality about R600 000.
“Our position remains clear, the Johannesburg council must be dissolved, and we will not give legitimacy to the doomsday coalition while they are being frivolous with the taxpayers’ money.
We have been clear, the revolving door of Mayors and Speakers will not change Johannesburg’s dire situation.
Both the Executive and legislative arms of the council have failed the residents of Johannesburg, the only solution is the dissolution of the council,” read a statement from the DA.
The DA’s coalition partner at the council, ActionSA has however condemned the party’s absence during today’s proceedings.
“Today the DA has again let down the residents of Johannesburg, and its former coalition partners, by refusing an opportunity to take back the city and not attending the council meeting to elect a new speaker,” said ActionSA in a statement.
The statement added that the DA voters must hold it accountable, regarding their lack of interest in rescuing the city of Joburg from the ANC and EFF coalition.
