Rustenburg – The enemy of people in Rustenburg is abject poverty, executive mayor Mpho Khunou said on Friday.
“The celebration will be when people in informal settlement have access to basic services. The real enemy is poverty,” Khunou told reporters after he was re-elected.
Despite a closed contest for position in the chamber, Khunou said the African National Congress was humbled and welcomed the outcome of the election and would work with all parties to bring stability in Rustenburg.
“Instability will not benefit anyone… We are working with all parties in the municipality, we consulted all parties before passing the budget,” he said.
He said instability in Rustenburg would not attract investors and would led to unemployment.
The ANC retained power in Rustenburg after beating the opposition with a narrow margin.
Rustenburg was on the brink of being taken over opposition parties after the ANC failed to obtained an out right majority during the municipal election. The ANC have 43 council seats while the opposition parties together have 46.
Sheila Mabale-Huma of the ANC beat Bosa Ledwaba of the Forum 4 Service Delivery with 46-43 votes in a re-run after the first round of voting produced a tie.
Khunou beat Malebana-Metsing from the Forum 4 Service Delivery with 46-43 votes and Amos Mataboge of the ANC beat Agnes Tsamai of the DA with 46-43 to be the single whip of council.
De wet Nel of the Freedom Front Plus was elected unopposed as the chairman of the municipal public accounts committee.
African News Agency