Dane Beisheim

Potchefstroom - The Democratic Alliance says it will claim its rightful place at the Tlokwe municipal offices tomorrow after an application to nullify the council meeting at which mayor Maphetle Maphetle was unseated was dismissed with costs.

Pretoria High Court judge Neil Tuchten found that the meeting and the election of DA councillor Annette Combrinck as mayor was lawful.

He also found Maphetle's continued occupation of the mayoral office unlawful.

On July 2, Combrinck was voted in as the new mayor for the second time since November, unseating Maphetle. DA leader in the province, Chris Hattingh, says the mayoral team led by Combrinck will now aim to bring stability back to the municipality.

ANC North West spokesperson Kenny Morolong declined to comment on the matter before the party’s Provincial Working Committee has had time to reflect on it.

Judge Tuchten ruled that the costs be carried by Maphetle and Tlokwe speaker Barei Segotso, who brought the application, and not be sourced from council funds.