This came after council speaker, Mxolisi Siyonzana, officially declared the vote results of Mayor Olly Mlamleli's ousting yesterday during a council sitting in Bloemfontein.

The EFF's Anita Marais tells OFM News that the removal of Mlamleli was significant because the metro had no leadership during her tenure. Marais says what happened to Mlamleli was unfortunate but she could not lead the municipality and they further hope that the municipality will have someone who can lead it.

The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) leader, Elizabeth Snyman-Van Deventer, says the process of removing Mlamleli was important along with the appointment of Deputy Mayor, Lebohang Masoetsa, as the acting mayor. Van Deventer says the success of motion of no confidence serves as a reminder to all councillors to do their best to ensure that every resident of Mangaung has access to basic services.

The FF Plus, EFF and the DA, along with some ANC councillors, voted for the removal of Mlamleli on Friday 7 August through a secrete ballot. During the vote, 31 councillors voted for the removal of Mlamleli while 28 opposed it, and eight spoiled their votes. 

The FF Plus proposed the motion against Mlamleli, who previously survived at least two such motions after the DA's motion of no confidence failed in early February.

Opposition parties have been blaming Mlamleli for the financial woes the Metro is currently facing, with debt to various service providers increasing to billions of rands in the last few years. Pressure on the former mayor mounted further when Mangaung become the first metro in South Africa's history to be placed under administration.

OFM News