ActionSA urges fresh elections for Joburg speaker
Action SA has called for a special sitting to elect a new council speaker in Johannesburg following the sacking of Congress of the People councillor Colleen Makhubele.
Makhubele's expulsion from the party was announced during a media briefing in Kempton Park on Monday.
COPE President Mosiuoa Lekota said Makhubele was axed from the party after she signed up for a coalition of minority parties called the South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA) ahead of the 2024 elections.
Tshwane councillor Ofentse Moalusi was also expelled after signing up for SARA.
Lekota said there was no final decision taken to form part of the alliance.
“We were aware of smaller parties coming together to perhaps form an alliance or a coalition that would campaign in next year’s elections. However, no final decision was made on the above.
“We were surprised to learn over the weekend through social media that the pair have already started campaigning for an alliance and have positioned themselves as the president and chairperson of that alliance."
ActionSA's Joburg caucus leader Nobuhle Mthembu says Makhubele will be remembered for her misinterpretation of council rules.
"Her misinterpretation of council standing rules has cost the City of Johannesburg fortunes. This same speaker presided over the unlawful removal of the former mayor.
"We, therefore, implore the city manager to call an Extra Ordinary Council where we can elect a new speaker. A speaker that will abide by the standing council rules and advance the service delivery needs of the people of Johannesburg.
"We need to close the Colleen chapter as soon as possible, the city cannot afford to go one day more without a speaker."
Makhubele could not be reached for comment by the time of publishing.
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