PHUTI MOSOMANE
COUNCILLOR Papi Mokoena from the Afrikan Alliance of Social Democrats (AASD) was elected as the new executive mayor of Mangaung on Friday.
Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor David Masoeu was elected Chief Whip during the same special council meeting.
At least 52 councillors, including the expelled ANC councillors Mapaseka Mothibi-Nkoane and Patrick Monyakoane, voted for Mokoena to be elected as the new executive mayor of Mangaung Metro Municipality unopposed.
The majority of ANC councillors did not attend the special council sitting and no apologies were made.
This follows the election of DA Councillor Maryke Davies as Speaker on 29 March 2023.
DA Free State Leader Roy Jankielsohn said: “The election of opposition councillors into senior political positions should be a symbol of hope for the people of Mangaung and the Free State of what can be done in future elections as the ANC continues to stagger and will eventually fall in the Free State.”
“The DA foresees legal challenges from the ANC which will be dealt with by the new political management of the council.”
Jankielsohn said for almost three decades, the ANC has transformed the city of roses into a city of filth. However, he said the election of opposition councillors into the running of the metro was a step in the right direction for the people of Mangaung and bodes well for the democratic future of the Free State.
INSIDE METROS