North West - A DA councillor was voted in as mayor of Potchefstroom after a motion of no confidence in the ANC mayor was passed, the municipality said on Thursday.
“The mayor was voted out last night (Wednesday), and the new one was voted in immediately afterwards,” Tlokwe (Potchefstroom) municipal spokesman Willie Maphosa said.
“The transition is going smoothly. The former mayor addressed staff this morning (Thursday), and the new mayor will address staff tomorrow (on Friday).”
The North West Democratic Alliance said councillor Annette Combrinck became the first DA mayor in the province after she defeated ANC candidate Lucky Tsagae by 20 votes to 19.
“The mayoral seat was vacated… after an ANC-driven motion of no-confidence in former mayor Mapetle Mapetle was accepted with 37 votes against 13,” it said in a statement.
The party said the vote was indicative of the instability and infighting in the North West province.
North West ANC spokesman Kenny Morolong was not immediately available for comment.
DA Tlokwe caucus leader Chris Landsberg said not all councillors participated in the vote for the new mayor.
“A faction of the ANC left the chambers after the motion of no confidence was passed,” he said.
The DA said several ANC members tabled a notice of a motion of no-confidence in Combrinck shortly after she won the vote. - Sapa