Randall Williams elected as Tshwane’s new mayor
The Democratic Alliance's (DA) Randall Williams has been elected as the mayor of the City of Tshwane.
The city’s council reconvened on Friday for the first time in eight months to elect a new mayor.
The sitting followed a ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruled in favour of the DA, which confirmed an earlier High Court decision that ruled the dissolution of the Tshwane council unlawful.
The council was dissolved by Gauteng government in March.
In his inaugural speech, Williams said the dissolution of the council was nothing short of chaotic.
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"The last seven months have been an incredibly trying time for the residents and the councillors in these chambers.
“The decision to dissolve the council was disastrous and removed hard-working and diligent councillors from their elected roles.”
Williams said the first thing he will prioritise, once he takes office, would be basic service delivery.
"I intend to do this by ensuring I direct significant attention to our front-line service delivery departments such as regional operations centre and utility departments.
"I intend to deploy a highly competent team of MMC’s who have specialist knowledge in particular governance areas.
“An executive mayor is only as strong as the people he surrounds himself with.”