State of play in Joburg Council: DA heads to court to block special sitting

A political tussle is playing out in the City of Johannesburg, following the recent booting out of the DA's speaker Vasco da Gama in a motion of no confidence, with mayor Mpho Phalatse ultimately the next target. Da Gama's ousting was made possible by certain councillors from smaller parties breaking the multi-party coalition agreement, by voting with a motion brought by the PAC (as a proxy for the ANC) to remove the speaker. Cope councillor Colleen Makhubele - who presides as the Chair of Chairs in council - regards herself as the "acting speaker" and has called a special sitting on 13 September. DA deputy caucus leader Bongani Nkomo tells BizNews the party is headed to court on an urgent basis seeking to interdict Tuesday’s planned special sitting from taking place. Nkomo says the acting speaker's role falls to the city manager and not Makhubele. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices