Johannesburg - The battle for control of Ekurhuleni metro has begun in earnest with the nomination of politicians Patricia Khumalo (ANC) and Shadow Shabangu (DA) for the crucial position of council Speaker
The candidates were suggested by Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry and ANC regional chairman, Mzwandile Masina, for the ruling party; and DA mayoral candidate Ghaleb Cachalia for the official opposition.
The IEC personnel were busy setting up election stalls to enable the 224 councillors to cast their votes for their preferred candidates.
If one of the candidates wins, the newly appointed Speaker would then oversee the election of the Mayor and later the Chief Whip of Council.
Earlier before they were sworn in as councillors, ANC candidates broke out in song in council chambers in a sterling show of force while the opposition DA signalled signs of change in an apparent suggestion that the municipality would be under a new regime after the elections of Speaker, Mayor and Chief Whip of Council.
The Independent Newspapers understand that the ANC signed a pact with the AIC and PAC with the hope of getting the required percentage to secure the key positions.
Masina was largely touted as the next executive mayor, taking over from outgoing mayor Mondli Gungubele, while Cachalia was expected to challenge him to become the first citizen of the metro.
The ruling party obtained 48.6 percent (109 seats) of the votes during the August 3 elections, against the DA’s 77 seats, EFF (25), AIC (4), FFPlus and IFP (2 each), and one seat each for COPE, ACDP, PAC, and the Independent Ratepayers’ Association.
Prior to the induction of councillors this morning, ANC councillors appear upbeat that they would secure a majority vote despite only managing to secure less than the required 50 percent of support.
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The Star