By Thys Khiba
Mangaung – Former Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality speaker, Mxolisi Siyonzana, has been elected as the new executive mayor of the municipality on Monday.
Siyonzana resigned from his position as speaker of the municipality last week in anticipation of his appointment.
This is after the African National Congress (ANC) Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in the province has completed the process of selecting a candidate Mayor for Mangaung Metro Municipality as a result of the vacancy that arose when the then Executive Mayor, Olly Mlamleli, was removed.
He has defeated the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s Hardie Vivier who received over 20 votes, with over 50 votes. There were 5 spoiled votes, with 87 votes cast.
The Mangaung metro has been functioning without a duly elected mayor for a year now, following the removal of Mlamleli through a motion of no-confidence that was supported by ANC councilors.
“It was an intensive selection process which involved the Officials of the National Executive Committee who conducted interviews of candidates recommended by the ANC Regional Task Team of Mangaung and ratified by IPC,” ANC IPC FS.
According to the IPC, the Regional Task Team (RTT) recommended three names, Mxolisi Siyonzana, Mapaseka Mothibi-Nkoane and Millicent Motingoe, by order of priority to the IPC, in line with the ANC Polokwane.
Mothibi-Nkoane, who is ANC Women’s League regional chairperson and councilor, has also been elected as the new speaker of the municipality.
The newly appointed Council Speaker and a staunch ally of suspended ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule, Siyonzana are expected to steer Mangaung Metro until the local government elections.
————————————————————-
DO YOU HAVE A NEWS STORY OR AN OPINION FOR CENTRAL NEWS: E-mail us : newsroom@centralnews.co.za or Whatsapp us on 083 398 9119