The City of Tshwane is without an Executive mayor once again. This following the disqualification of the recently elected mayor, Dr. Murunwa Makwarela.

Makwarela, a Congress of the People (COPE) member was elected into office last week via a secret ballot, which saw him win against the DA’s Cilliers Brink.

Following Makwarela’s election, his previous position of Speaker of the Council became vacant, which saw the Council meet for a sitting yesterday to elect a new Speaker. However, the vote did not happen due to the Council not meeting the quorum as a result of the DA and its coalition deciding not to show up to the Council.

The DA’s dissatisfaction comes amid the party's alleging that Makwarela was not competent for the job.

In a statement yesterday, the DA expressed that it was informed by a member of the public that the current, Makwarela had been sequestrated in the Gauteng High Court in 2016, and had since written to the City Manager and Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to probe these allegations further and conduct investigations.

“Although insolvency is itself not a scandal, an unrehabilitated insolvent is barred by the Constitution from holding public office”- DA Tshwane Ward Cllr. Jacqui Uys

Following this shocking revelation of the outgoing Executive Mayor, the DA in Tshwane gave Makwarela until today to prove that he is a rehabilitated insolvent, and is eligible to hold office as a councillor in terms of section 158(1) of the Constitution.

Makwerala’s disqualification proves the DA’s argument right and will now see the position of Executive Mayor as vacant, as announced by City Manager, 

“What is important now is that the City of Tshwane hold an election for a new executive mayor as soon as possible, and preferably next week, and for parties in the council to place the City’s stability above self-interested political games and schemes.”- Cllr. Jacqui Uys

The DA-led coalition has since expressed its satisfaction with Makwarela’s disqualification, with the DA calling for another election soon, to elect a new mayor.

Will this setback in the ANC-led coalition, make room for the DA’s Cilliers Brink?