The African National Congress (ANC) has retained the mayorship of JB Marks Local Municipality in the North West through the election of Gaba ka Qhele as new mayor.
JB Marks was one of the hung municipalities in the North West and the Democratic Alliance (DA) has made it clear for years that it wanted control of this council.
The Potchefstroom-based council is one of the two hung municipalities under Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality where the DA has always had a strong showing. Ka Qhele, who was sworn in on Monday, promises better services.
“On top of the list will be making sure that we deliver services to the community and create jobs, especially amongst the youth,” he said.
The new mayor was not afforded an opportunity to read his prepared speech because the council sitting was prolonged by council members who were opposing the election of a chief whip, saying it was an unnecessary position that only wasted the taxpayers’s money.
Ka Qhele said coalition agreements were reached as the Patriotic Alliance came on board and voted with the ANC.
The council seats at this municipality were allocated based on how the voters have voted for various political parties. The municipality has 67 seats and 34 of them are occupied by opposition parties.
During the election of a mayor 66 out of the 67 ballot papers were used and no ballot paper was spoiled. One councillor was absent.
The victory means that the party that scored an election victory for the fourth time since 2006 still has governing powers.
