By Doreen Mokgolo
ActionSA councillor Nobuhle Mthembu was elected as the new speaker of the Johannesburg council on Wednesday, with support from the ANC.
Mthembu received 180 votes, beating her opponent, Nonhlanhla Sifumba from the DA, who got 68 votes.
The speaker position became available after the new mayor of Johannesburg, Dada Morero, appointed the previous speaker, Margaret Arnolds, as the MMC of Finance last week.
On Wednesday, city manager Floyd Brink held a special council meeting to elect a new speaker.
Mthembu’s election finalised a deal between ActionSA and the ANC that was made last month.
As part of the deal, ActionSA demanded the removal of mayor Kabelo Gwamanda and asked for the speaker position in return for their support in electing the new mayor.
Gwamanda resigned last week.
In her acceptance speech, Mthembu promised to represent all 270 councillors in the council.
“Today starts a new era focused on restoring the city to its former glory, with service delivery as the main focus,” she said.
Mthembu also spoke about the need for accountability, transparency, and enforcing the law to protect residents.
She told Morero to take strong action against corruption and the mismanagement of funds and said that fixing the billing crisis and improving the inner city are among her top priorities.
Mthembu promised to work closely with the administration to tackle corruption.
Pictured above: ActionSA’s Nobuhle Mthembu.
Source: Supplied
