Newly elected council members sworn in into MLM office

Ga-Masemola

 

Scores of police, dignitaries and community members from various political parties were assembled at Masemola sports ground in Apel Cross, when the Nebo chief magistrate sworn in council members into the office of Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM) to constitute a council.

Elected councillor when taking their oath, were being sworn in batch of 10 members to save time.

The constituted council has 62 councillors, leading by the African National Congress (ANC) with 40 members, followed by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) with 15 members.

Other small parties including an independent candidate had 1member except for SAMEBA which has 2 members in the council.

The first sitting council saw the acting municipal manager (MM), Nancy Rampedi, presided over the proceedings of the council until they elected new speaker.

Rampedi acknowledged the presence of the IEC team, SAPS, EMS department, officials of other sector departments, municipal from the municipality and the voters

“You’re all welcomed,” said acting MM.

She said the special council meeting was called in terms of section 29 (2) of the Municipal Structure Act 117 of 1998 as amended.

Judy Mphelane was elected into the position of the speaker unopposed.

After being elected Mphelane took over from the acting MM and presided over the proceeding of the council.

He therefore used his power as speaker to preside over the elections of electing the mayor, chief whip, executive in the council and the public representative in the district.

The majority party in the council re-elected Minah Bahula unopposed as the mayor for upcoming five years.

As per recommendations, the chiefwhip of the council must be a member from the majority party and they elected Mosedi Thamaga for the position.

The council also elected ten executive members, seven from the ANC led by Bahula and three from the opposition led by the regional secretary, Gift Machaba.

They further elected another eight executive members as council representative in the district, five from the majority, 3 from the EFF and 1 from the SAMEBA.

Addressing the attendance elected mayor said she is humbled to be re-elected as the municipal mayor.

“I am very happy because this council demonstrated again that it has faith and trust in my leadership style. In this municipality no one was re-elected as the mayor and I am very pleased to be re-elected,” said Bahula.

She said for the fact that the council didn’t descend into any chaos shows that elected councillors are responsible.

“Collectively we promise to deliver services to the people, Makhuduthamaga people are waiting for services,” she said.

The mayor said she was humbled when South African Local Government Association (SALGA) for sending its representative to be part of the council.

“Out of all council which sit today, SALGA chose to come here. It shows that we represent the association very well by claiming victory in terms of clean audit,” said Bahula.

She reiterated that her municipality would continue to raise the bar high for clean audits.

Bahula mandated that all councillors must carry out their responsibilities to deliver service to the people.

“Speaker allow me to thank my family for their support during these difficult times,” eluded mayor.

She said she is aware that it’s unusual for human being to be liked  by everyone.

“As your leader I will ask God to give me strength to lead you,” said re-elected mayor.