Vasco Da Gama has been ousted as City of Johannesburg Speaker in a late-night no-confidence vote.
Mayor Dr. Mpho Phalatse said: “The Johannesburg Multi-Party Government has accepted the outcome of the motion of no confidence against the former Speaker, Cllr Vasco Da Gama, who served the Council in an exemplary fashion.”
The motion of no confidence in DA Gama – a Democratic Alliance (DA) member – was earlier tabled by the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, which was supported by other parties, among them the African National Congress and the Economic Freedom Fighters.
The coalition government led by the DA, Action SA, and the Freedom Front Plus backed the beleaguered Speaker.
Da Gama was accused of interfering with tender procurement and being biased in the council, which has 270 seats.
The matter was eventually settled with a 136 votes for the motion and 132 against it, resulting in Da Gama’s ouster.
However, Mayor Phalatse said: “I would like to assure residents that the work of repairing and rebuilding the City remains on track and will not be affected by the outcome of the motion against Cllr Da Gama.
“We note with utter shame that certain members of the coalition elected to vote in favour of the motion, we are also aware that ahead of the motion there were allegations of bribery, which will be detailed in an affidavit.
“As the multi-party government, we will introspect on what needs to be done to regroup, as Joburg cannot afford to be handed back to a cabal who place self-interest ahead of the needs of Joburg’s 6-million residents.
“‘We are nonetheless confident that we will restore order.
“This is but a speed hump on a long road. The repair and rebuild of South Africa’s economic hub has just begun, therefore our work is far from over. We intend on completing this term of office.”
