MIDDELBURG – The date has been confirmed for Steve Tshwete Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela’s reckoning, with his fate as executive mayor hanging in the balance pending the anticipated motion of no confidence on Monday, May 13, 2024. Speculation abounds that should Masilela be ousted, MHRF councillor and current council speaker Thato Mathunyane is poised to assume the mayoral chain, with the DA’s Palesa Mobango emerging as a frontrunner for the speaker’s position.
As it stands, the motion, seemingly the ANC’s worst nightmare, garners support from the DA with 17 seats, the EFF with 9 seats, the MHRF with 7 seats, and the FF Plus with 3 seats, totalling 36 votes against the potential 21 of the ANC. An ANC insider who chose to remain anonymous revealed that the party’s seat count may drop on the day. “ANC will be reduced to 20, as one councillor has been absent due to illness for over 6 months, possibly missing the council session on Monday, the 13th,” they stated.
There’s also speculation regarding independent candidate Reverend Thomas Mpye’s stance on the no-confidence motion. “It’s rumoured that Mpye will align with the opposition, despite not formally joining the motion,” the source added.
Mobango dismissed the speculations, reiterating the DA’s steadfast position. “Our stance remains unchanged. We’ve maintained for the past two years that we won’t take up governance positions until mandated by Steve Tshwete voters,” she affirmed. “We’ll continue as the main opposition, carrying out our duties diligently.”
The MHRF, through councillor Hellena Pilodia-Uys, seconded by councillors Christine Skosana and Philip Mogola, submitted the motion, citing Masilela’s alleged lack of decisive and effective leadership. “That this motion calls for his removal due to the lack of clear leadership in his role in the municipality. And the poor leadership he has shown in council and the administration due to the many ongoing investigations of corruption against many officials during his tenure,” the notice states.
Efforts to reach Mathunyane for comment on the speculation regarding his mayoral appointment were unsuccessful, as he declined an interview. “At present, I cannot comment. I’m unaware of the origins of these speculations,” he remarked. “It’s merely speculation, as you’ve said, so that’s all there is to it.”
