Vasco Da Gama survives axing by one vote
Johannesburg council speaker Vasco da Gama has survived another day after a motion of no confidence against him failed to pass.
A special Johannesburg council meeting ended abruptly after African National Congress (ANC) councillors denied accepting the outcome of a no confidence vote in Da Gama.
A total 136 votes in favour was required while 135 councillors supported the motion.
Ninety-nine voted against it while the EFF abstained.
Only 270 councillors were present at the meeting – meaning the threshold of 50% plus one (a simple majority) wasn’t met.
The ANC’s Jolidee Matongo says they have called on provincial structures to intervene.
“As far as we are considered his not a legitimate speaker of council. We don’t recognise him. We are calling on the MEC to convene a meeting and preside over that meeting for the election of a new speaker.”
But the DA has rejected claims – saying the ANC wants to disregard democratic processes.
“It demonstrates that the DA will not allow the city to crumble under the weight of corrupt and unscrupulous tendencies,” says DA caucus leader Funzela Ngobeni.