Legal opinion is needed before electing a new mayor for Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality after DA Mayor, Ewald Loock, and DA Chief Whip, Ricardo Smith were voted out following a motion of no confidence on May 18.
The Speaker of the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality, CSA councillor Cheslin Felix, used his casting vote to oust Loock and Smith which was sponsored by the ANC.
According to local representative MP, Samantha Graham-Maré, the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality is a collective executive system of local government, which operates slightly differently from the mayoral executive system.
Graham-Maré said at the meeting on May 18, the DA asked for clarity following the motion of no confidence as to whether the removal of the mayor complied with Section 53 or 57 of the Municipal Structures Act.
“The municipal manager was unable to respond to the question, and he advised that the council meeting be adjourned to allow for a legal opinion on the matter. At that stage, the DA Caucus was ready to proceed with the election for the replacement of Councillor Loock and Councillor Smith,” said Graham-Maré.
She said they were, however, still awaiting a response from Municipal Manager, Dr Edward Rankwana after requesting that the legal opinion being sought be provided before electing a new mayor for Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality.