62 council members voted in favour of the motion to suspend Mea - who has been accused of misconduct and maladministration.

The other 29 council members voted against his suspension, while the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) says it failed to vote due to a loss of connectivity.

Meanwhile, the council elected the Metro's head of the Economic and Development Department, Teboho Maine, as the new acting municipal manager.

The DA had proposed that Mea be put on precautionary suspension whilst being investigated for his alleged conduct.

The ANC Chief whip in council, Zolile Mangcotywa, again, proposed voting against the motion to suspend Mea but rather in favour of special leave.

Council members were then forced to vote on the item as proposed by Mangcotywa to rather put Mea on special leave.

The 58 council members voted against the proposal that Mea be put on special leave, while the rest voted in favour and others abstained.

The sitting comes after residents of Mangaung called for the dissolution of the council.

Leaders of the Mangaung protests, which brought parts of Bloemfontein to a standstill, argue that this council failed to properly provide oversight by allowing corruption to thrive under its watch.

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