By Phenyo Selinda
Cilliers Brink has been ousted as the mayor of the City of Tshwane following a motion of no confidence that was brought against him on 26 September 2024. In a significant shift within the City Council, 120 councillors voted for his removal, while 87 voted against it. This motion was primarily spearheaded by the African National Congress (ANC), citing Brink’s alleged mismanagement and failure to stabilize the municipality’s financial woes. However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has strongly condemned the move, calling it a “tragedy for the City of Tshwane” and accusing ActionSA of betraying the multi-party coalition that had kept Brink in power .
The Breakdown of Votes and the Coalition Collapse
Brink’s removal was the culmination of weeks of political instability in the City of Tshwane, exacerbated by the collapse of the DA’s coalition with ActionSA. ActionSA, which had previously been a crucial ally in keeping the DA in control of the city, withdrew its support, thus paving the way for the ANC to push forward the motion of no confidence. The decision by ActionSA to back the ANC in this motion was seen as a “betrayal” by the DA, with tensions within the coalition reaching a breaking point .
In his 18-month tenure as mayor, Brink had been credited with improving Tshwane’s financial standing, notably achieving a budget surplus of R200 million. However, the DA has blamed the ANC-led provincial administrators for turning this surplus into a deficit of over R4 billion due to alleged mismanagement when they were in control .
DA’s Response and Future Plans
In the wake of Brink’s ousting, the DA has expressed its determination to contest the upcoming mayoral election. Kwena Moloto, the DA’s Tshwane caucus spokesperson, stated that the party will re-nominate Brink as their candidate for the mayoral seat. Should this effort fail, the DA plans to return to the opposition benches, vowing to serve as a strong and effective opposition to the ANC and the EFF in the city .
Despite Brink’s removal, the DA has underscored its commitment to protecting the interests of Tshwane residents. The party remains critical of the ANC’s handling of the city’s finances, and Moloto has warned that the removal of Brink could plunge Tshwane into deeper financial instability .
Political Tensions and Implications for Tshwane
The ousting of Brink has sparked a political storm in the City of Tshwane. The Council erupted in cheers as the motion of no confidence passed, with opposition parties celebrating the change in leadership. However, the DA and its coalition partners have warned that this move could have long-term negative effects on service delivery and governance in the city. According to the DA, Brink’s administration had made significant progress in stabilizing the city’s finances and tackling corruption .
ActionSA’s decision to side with the ANC has been a source of controversy, with DA leaders accusing ActionSA of undermining their shared goals for political gain. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba, however, has justified the move, stating that it was in the best interest of Tshwane residents to remove Brink and restore effective governance in the city .
What Lies Ahead for Tshwane
With Brink’s removal, the City of Tshwane now faces a period of uncertainty. The mayoral committee has been dissolved, and the city has two weeks to elect a new mayor. It remains unclear whether the ANC, with its newfound support from ActionSA, will be able to form a stable coalition to lead the city .
The ANC has expressed its intention to take over Tshwane’s leadership and reverse what it calls “the DA’s mismanagement” of the city. However, the DA remains hopeful that Brink will be re-elected, despite the shifting political dynamics. Should the DA fail to secure the mayoral position, it is prepared to challenge the ANC’s leadership and hold them accountable for any further deterioration of the city’s finances and service delivery .
Download Here:
Central News Weekly Edition 073 | Download the latest weekly edition| Top Story: “R180,000 in Prizes at Edgar Legoale Festive Soccer Tournament 2024”
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube
#centralnewsza #freestate