Rustenburg – Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters sang jubilation songs ahead of the first council sitting of Rustenburg on Friday.
Rustenburg is the only hung municipality in the North West province, where opposition parties were expected to unseat the African National Congress (ANC) after the ruling party did not win an outright majority to take control of the platinum rich city.
EFF supporters carried a giant mock cross declaring that Jesus has arrived in Rustenburg, this after ANC President Jacob Zuma has repeatedly in the past declared that the ANC would rule until Jesus came.
The ANC won 43 council seats while the opposition collective have 46 seats out of the 89 available.
Thulani Makhanye, EFF chairperson in the Bojanala region, said they were going to make history in Rustenburg.
“We are making history, we had a meeting just now with other opposition parties. We had 45 councillors who are going to vote,” he said.
The ANC needed two seats to retain control of Rustenburg.
EFF councillors in their signature red overalls took their seats and waved their hands in the air in circular movements, indicating change.
The meeting was set to elect the speaker, whip and the executive mayor.
The Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) was expected to nominate Rocky Malebana-Metsing as mayor and Pogiso Bothomane as speaker. The ANC was expected to nominate Mpho Khunou as the mayor.
African News Agency