By Anél Lewis
City of Cape Town executive deputy mayor Grant Haskin says the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) will not give up the deputy mayor's chain without a fight.
The party has asked the DA to withdraw its motion of removal that would lead to the election of a new deputy mayor at Wednesday's council meeting.
Haskin said he had met Premier Helen Zille, former mayor of the city's multi-party government that included the ACDP, on Monday about plans to remove him from office.
"I put it to the DA it must retract its motion and continue discussions (with the ACDP)."
The Think Bike organisation on Tuesday gave Haskin honourary membership for his contribution to road safety - possibly his last official engagements as deputy mayor.
But Haskin said he would not give up his chain just yet, despite an offer to his party of two extra sub-council positions if he stepped down.
"I am under party instructions to not resign. And if I don't resign, the DA might force me to resign."
Haskin said discussions with the DA about retracting the vote of no confidence would continue until the council meeting started on Wednesday at 2pm.
"I am waiting for Zille to respond via Mayor Dan Plato."
If the motion was not withdrawn, the ACDP would be forced to debate the motion in council.
Speaker Dirk Smit confirmed on Tuesday he had received a motion of removal. If passed, it would create a vacancy in the mayoral committee. Smit said he would allow for debate on the motion before calling for a vote. If the motion was carried, the council would be asked to submit nominations for the new deputy mayor.
DA mayoral committee member Ian Neilson has been tipped to take over Haskin's position.
Smit said late on Tuesday afternoon there had been no request to have the removal motion withdrawn. But the DA would be able to change its mind and withdraw the motion up until the start of the council meeting.