News24

ANC Tlokwe mayor stays - court

2013-03-28 21:04

Johannesburg - The battle of political musical chairs for the Tlokwe mayorship seems over for the moment after a high court ruling went the ANC's way on Thursday.

"The judge found against our application and in favour of the ANC on technical grounds," said Democratic Alliance spokesperson Chris Hattingh.

African National Congress councillor Maphetle Maphetle has now been given legal confirmation of his right to hold the mayoral office since his reappointment in late February.

In November, warring factions in the ANC passed a motion of no confidence in Maphetle, who was replaced as mayor by DA councillor Annette Combrink.

Combrink was herself ousted when a motion of no confidence was passed in January.

The DA went to the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to contest the tabling of the no-confidence motion, alleging that the process had contained several irregularities.

It was this case that the party lost on Thursday.

Hattingh said the DA respected the rule of law, but it did want to study some aspects of the judgment.

"We respect the outcome... At this stage there is nothing that we contemplate doing."

ANC provincial spokesperson Kenny Morolong said that the party was elated that the DA's "bid to undermine a democratic process" had failed.

"It was a travesty of democracy for the municipality of Tlokwe to have had a DA mayor when it [the DA] had received low levels of electoral support during the local government elections."

Morolong said the ANC implored the DA to accept and "embrace" the court ruling.

Comments
  • ESETHU_HASANE - 2013-03-28 21:31

    The DA always fights its political battles in Courts and they always lose. They never learn anything. In politics court cases mean nothing if u want to take control. Instead of hating on the ANC and always bashing and opposing everything and I mean EVERYTHING!! Go out to the people and win their hearts and minds and that is what the ANC is good at doing. The courts won't win you elections, they won't convince people your capabilities, they won't tell them your policies or good intentions for them and again, then DA continues to acknowledge this. You will never win ANC voters over if you always attacking the ANC, instead of winning them over, they will be defensive because u're always on the Attack. DA less Attacks, more voters. Stop using courts to fight political loss

      Tersia Louw - 2013-03-28 21:44

      Hasane - "Stop using courts". Are you aware that SA is a constitutional democracy? "they won't convince people your capabilities" - no, the work that Annette Combrink did in the very short time she was mayor did that. I'm saddened that the ANC I once supported has fallen so far as to remove a competent mayor in favour of one that not even the ANC had confidence in. What happened to working for the people? Are party politics so much more important than delivering to the electorate? Shame on you, ANC.

      Johann Kühne - 2013-03-28 21:44

      Please tell me of these capabilities of the ANC, just show me one thing good the ANC is capable? And no, nepotism and corruption is not an achievement

      Dave Elmore - 2013-03-28 21:57

      In tis particular instance, I think Hasane has a point. Probably the fact that ANC councillars had a visit by Zuma And Cyril had nothing to do with how the revote went...but it's now up to the voters here, who have had a taste of how both parties govern to determine the outcome. Will be interesting to see

      jungleboy - 2013-03-28 22:24

      Excuse me but the DA won a court interdict to have the judgement in the Zuma corruption case made public and to expose Zuma and the NAP for their nefarious deeds. To date, despite a high court order, these documents have still not been released. The ANC can't even obey a high court ruling which, in my opinion, makes them guilty. Get your facts straight before you babble more ANC sewrage.

      Sithembiso Mayisela - 2013-03-28 22:39

      @tersia I like Annette, she was a very capable rector and her qualifications are good. I ask this because I really want to know...what is it that she did? I live in Potchefstroom and I really want to know what is it that i missed. By the way we experienced a water crisis for the first time since i moved there, while she was mayor *just saying*

      Sithembiso Mayisela - 2013-03-29 00:00

      @Jamba, thanks...I did miss that one. Well I gec if one day I move to the cape I will see how the DA governs, but I think its true what Hasane is saying...I am not in the cape now and all I see is a party opposing everything and people claming that if u vote for a certain party you are uneducated and corrupt...I wanna see action

      steward.debruin - 2013-03-29 01:42

      @Sithembiso Mayisela, the DA cannot act outside of their jurisdiction. Imagine, you vote ANC and your community votes the same and then the DA comes and start fixing your streets and building houses for you. Firstly with what money? And secondly, you will be the first to complain that they don't know their place. Though you can market yourself outside of your area, but you are only allocated a budget for the areas you won. While they are not in power they will use whatever means necessary to ensure that the ANC doesn't abuse theirs.

      Jackie Dee - 2013-03-29 09:14

      ANC less corruption and crime.

      Danie Theron - 2013-03-29 11:32

      HASANE, dave.elmore.5, et al.., The ANC regime took Walmart to court, because Walmart - the biggest co in the world - wanted to invest billions in SA, kindly elaborate on that logic..? Following HASANE's logic, does it mean the ANC hates all Western co's that wants do SA the biggest favour conceivable, by investing in SA..? All I know is that it is 100% within the DA's right/s to take anybody to court should they deem it fitting - it is the purpose of the courts and the last frontier SA has to protect the rights of each citizen. A large number of South Africans do not understand the term 'DEMOCRACY' - one of them being the president of SA. Eg he made a continental fool of himself when he demonstrated to the entire world that he does not understand 0.0000001% of the meaning of 'democracy' - since then the Rand has been in free fall - GO FIGURE. A 'democracy' is NOT 'majority rule' - the latter is a tyranny that democracy protects its citizens against - one of the mechanisms is wholly independent courts. BTW - while the DA was (briefly) in charge of the Tlokwe municipality, they expected opposition from people on the ground - they were however amazed at the grassroots support - that support was one of the key motivators to take the latest matter to court - SO.., EAT YOUR WORDS MY FRIEND/s...

      Danie Theron - 2013-03-29 11:34

      Sithembiso Mayisela, You are aware of the fact that there are strong indications/evidence that the municipal pump-stations were sabotaged..? Just saying...

  • Sapper_Coetzee - 2013-03-28 22:01

    The DA must just stand strong they had a brief period to show they are not there to use state funds to buy cars. Let's see what happens with the next election.

  • jungleboy - 2013-03-28 22:12

    The poor souls of Tlokwe having to endure more corruption, more mismanagement and more misery from the ANC hyhenas. Watch this space...

      Jones Mkandawire - 2013-03-29 06:10

      Desperate opposition offers nothing better other than barking at shadows

  • Rofhiwa Ronald - 2013-03-29 04:15

    That was a day light robbery One

  • Jones Mkandawire - 2013-03-29 06:18

    Double TKOs for Desperate Alliance (da) eeeish

  • Sarel Brits - 2013-03-29 06:19

    Back to square 1

  • arthur.salvado - 2013-03-29 07:23

    Why is it all have to be resolved by costly ( taxpayer ) court cases ?

  • Michael Kleber - 2013-03-29 07:52

    Now the new mayor can get his new flashy merc and throw some lavish parties and help some friends financially all at taxpayers expense of course , roll on the good times ,

  • Piero Mendace - 2013-03-29 08:03

    The beginning of the end, wasting tax payers money because your party is falling apart, its about time. All bad things come to an end!

  • Piero Mendace - 2013-03-29 08:04

    Jones, don't worry one day you will see the light. You need to take your head out of the sand first though!

  • ld.vanvuuren - 2013-03-29 08:26

    Well done to most of you - the facts and issues were debated you (mostly ) refrained from mud slinging. Hasane made a good point but Jamba is right - Cape Town is well managed. I do however think Jungleboy's question needs an answer.

      Tlotlo Phele - 2013-04-01 22:42

      What about the rest of the province ? Is it also run well ?

  • Winifred Watson - 2013-03-29 08:50

    Actually this is what we expected, the ANC are very bad losers. Madam Mayor just could not do without her very expensive car, thats the only thing that excited her about being mayor and all the pomp and bling that goes with it. As for the job, well errrrr.............people must be patient, rome was not built in a day. That will be the mayors attitude. The minds of certain south africans will never change, seems they will rather suffer and put up with sub-service than maybe try something that might just improve their lives. Well it is very true, you get exactly what you vote for. So, then if they are not happy, go sit in the corner and remind themselves why they are there.

  • Paseka Mohalaleloa Patrick - 2013-03-30 10:32

    DA will remain to be life time opposition party it would rule this country they even forget thier manifesto always running after the ANC opposing what the anc want majority of south african are not interested in the DA only minority especially rented crowd and hired leadership

  • Albert Muvhali - 2013-04-01 10:46

    LETS ALL RESPECT THE COURT OF.ANY ONE WHO FEELS UN HAPPY HAS A RIGHT TO APPEAL.

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