ANC’S XHAKAZA SWORN IN AS EKURHULENI MAYOR.

Written by: Tlotlego Ranchu

The ANC’s Doctor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has been elected as the City of Ekurhuleni’s new mayor, breaking the weeks-long stalemate in the metro. His election was unopposed, following a three-hour delay to the proceedings of his elections as parties negotiated a suitable candidate.

Ald Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has been sworn in as Executive Mayor of City of Ekurhuleni. He was elected in today’s extraordinary council meeting. pic.twitter.com/MACbSz6vl4

— CITY OF EKURHULENI (@City_Ekurhuleni) April 11, 2024

#Newzroom405‘s @zinikozini speaks to ANC Gauteng chairperson Panyaza Lesufi and provincial secretary TK Nciza following Nkosindiphile Xhakaza’s election as the new Ekurhuleni mayor. pic.twitter.com/9O3I4Mpq2h

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 11, 2024

The city has been without a mayor for nearly two weeks, after the African Independent Congress’ Sivuyile Ngodwana was outsted in a motion of no confidence brought forward by ActionSA in February, in a bid to “save the city from the brink of collapse”.

As part of a plot twist from the original Gauteng metro takeover agreement between the ANC/EFF and minorities, it is understood that the “super seven” minority parties insisted on the mayor being an ANC member.

ANC chairperson and Gauteng Premier Panyza Lesufi thanked the political parties for their participation

“Negotiations are difficult and you need to persuaded everyone. It took long because we really tried to put the interest of the municipality at heart, you can see the outcome. We didn’t put party political interest. We consulted each and every party, and I want to thank the EFF”.

ANC Gauteng secretary Thembinkosi Nciza says now that the position has been filled, the city can now expect issues surrounding service delivery and administration challenges to be resolved.

“If there are issues, we believe that he should be able to reign everybody, whether it be administration, whether it’s the executive.”