Mpho Galetshitse
Former Rustenburg Local Municipality Speaker, Sheila Mabale-Huma, was elected the new executive mayor at the first council meeting of this new term at the Rustenburg Civic Centre on Monday.
Mabale-Huma received 47 votes, while Papi Rangwaga of Tsogang Civic Movement secured 26 votes and Pieter Malan of the DA managed only 16 votes.
The newly elected Mayor says in order to achieve social cohesion and human solidarity, the municipality must vigorously confront the legacy of poverty, racism and sexisms.
“The year 2021 marks 65 years since women marched to the Union Buildings to demand an end to the pass laws. Let me take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the immense struggle advanced by women in South Africa in the pursuit of non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa,” said Mabale-Huma.
She was also supposed to announce members of the mayoral committee (MMC) on Monday, but said she would do so on Friday. Mabale-Huma further added that every MMC would sign a performance agreement that would be reviewed annually.
Koketso Mogomotsi was elected new Speaker of the Rustenburg municipality with 49 votes, while Sharon Letlape of the EFF got 24 votes and Laun Synders of the DA received 17 votes.
Chaos erupted when the Speaker was nominated as EFF members and Tsogang Civic Movement members objected, saying the ballot papers were named and demanded a re-run of voting. The first ballot papers were destroyed.
