ANC’s Nkosindiphile Xhakaza elected as Mayor of Ekurhuleni

Johnathan Paoli

THE City Council of Ekurhuleni has confirmed the election of the ANC’s Metropolitan Convener Nkosindiphile Xhakaza as the new Executive Mayor, following lengthy delays and the threat of the metro being placed under administration.

In an extraordinary council meeting on Thursday in Germiston, Xhakaza was elected unopposed, after the municipality had been without a Mayor for two weeks following the removal of African Independent Congress (AIC) councilor Sivuyile Ngodwana from office by means of a motion of no-confidence.

The Metro has been marred by ongoing political disagreements, leading to multiple postponements to vote for Ngodwana’s replacement.

Xhakaza was appointed last year by the ruling-party’s NEC as the Convener for Ekurhuleni, following his defeat against Mzwandile Masina for the position of Ekurhuleni regional chairperson.

He previously served as a council member in the municipality since 2011, including the MMC for Water, Sanitation and Energy; Finance, Economic Development and ICT;