Staff Reporter
City of Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and Speaker Nthabiseng Tshivhenga have survived motions of no confidence brought against them during a tense sitting of the City of Ekurhuleni council in Germiston on Thursday.
The motion against the Speaker, tabled for a third time, was defeated by 136 votes against 73.
Meanwhile, Xhakaza comfortably overcame the attempt to remove him from office, with 140 councillors voting against the motion and 69 in support.
The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) accused Speaker Tshivhenga of abusing her power, acting unilaterally during council sessions, and failing to address misconduct among councillors, particularly members of her own party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
The FF Plus cited inconsistent application of council rules, failure to maintain order, and allegations of misconduct and fraud involving her office.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), who sponsored the motion against Tshivhenga, argued that she had failed to uphold decorum in council, especially during recent physical altercations between DA and EFF councillors.
The DA was backed by the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), the Independent Citizens Movement (ICM), the Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA), and the FF Plus.
On the motion against Xhakaza, the FF Plus cited ongoing service delivery challenges and alleged weak leadership.
Adding to the political drama, former DA coalition partner ActionSA distanced itself from the motion against Tshivhenga, accusing the DA of attempting to “burn down council” out of frustration at losing influence in Ekurhuleni’s governance.
Following the votes, the ANC Caucus welcomed what it called the “resounding and decisive defeat” of the motion against Xhakaza.
“This motion, lacking in both substance and merit, was a clear attempt at political grandstanding,” the ANC Caucus said in a statement.
“Its rejection by the majority of Council members is a strong signal that the Council is committed to stability, service delivery, and responsible governance. It reaffirms that the elected representatives of Ekurhuleni can see the light at the end of the tunnel, choosing progress over disruption.”
Earlier in the week, Xhakaza delivered a speech in council and reflected on the challenges and achievements of his first year at the helm of one of South Africa’s key metropolitan areas.
Xhakaza highlighted several key accomplishments. These included the successful launch of the Revenue Enhancement Programme and Operation Clean Audit, aimed at restoring financial sustainability and accountability within the City’s governance framework.
Significant improvements in core service delivery areas such as water supply, energy infrastructure, solid waste management, and road maintenance were also noted by Xhakaza.
“With political stability and a clear vision in place, we transitioned to Phase Two implementation. Our first priority was financial sustainability. We introduced a Revenue Enhancement Programme and prioritised restoring a clean audit culture through Operation Clean Audit,” said Xhakaza.
“This included strengthening financial oversight and instituting accountability mechanisms to root out waste, inefficiency, and misconduct.”
Under Xhakaza’s leadership, Ekurhuleni also hosted its inaugural Investment Conference, securing over R9.6 billion in investments.
“Strategic agreements were signed with key partners including Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa, and the Eastern Gauteng Chamber of Commerce, among others,” said Xhakaza.
“These partnerships are set to drive major developments such as the R5.7 billion Midfield Cargo Terminal at OR Tambo International Airport, the R2.5 billion Nigel Steel Mill, and the long-anticipated Tambo Springs Inland Port, projected to create over 240,000 jobs over the next 15 years.”
He added: “This wave of investment is not only revitalising industrial zones but also reaffirming Ekurhuleni’s position as a gateway for opportunity in logistics, manufacturing, e-commerce and inclusive growth on the African continent.”
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