Solly Msimanga

TSHWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 24: The unveiling of new vehicles to be used by the Cable Theft Unit, Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga addressing the guests on July 24, 2018 in Tshwane, South Africa. The Mayor was adamant that the purchase of such vehicles was necessary to combat the scourge of cable theft. (Photo by Gallo Images / Daily Sun / Morapedi Mashashe)

EFF threatens to remove Solly Msimanga as Tshwane mayor after chaos in council

Solly Msimanga is having one absolute whirlwind of a week. Now, he is facing threats to remove him from his mayoral post.

Solly Msimanga

TSHWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 24: The unveiling of new vehicles to be used by the Cable Theft Unit, Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga addressing the guests on July 24, 2018 in Tshwane, South Africa. The Mayor was adamant that the purchase of such vehicles was necessary to combat the scourge of cable theft. (Photo by Gallo Images / Daily Sun / Morapedi Mashashe)

On Sunday, Solly Msimanga received his party’s full backing as he was named the DA’s premier candidate for Gauteng in the 2019 elections. Now, it’s been just a few days and he is having to deal with the prospect of opposition councillors removing him as mayor of Tshwane. The EFF isn’t thrilled with him…

Solly Msimanga and the battle for Tshwane

On Tuesday, Msimanga suspended city manager Dr Moeketsi Mosola after tabling a report that implicated him in irregularities linking to a multi-billion rand tender.

Msimanga explained that he was warned against tabling the report and even received threats on the evening before the council sitting. Those threats included vows to remove him from office.

Read: DA announces Solly Msimanga as premier candidate for Gauteng

Council proceedings quickly became a shouting match as the EFF and ANC members voiced their dissatisfaction with the DA man. The opposition councillors were unhappy with Lorette Tredoux being appointed as acting city manager without their knowledge.

The councillors demanded proof of Tredoux’s appointment and Msimanga eventually presented a letter from the city manager’s office.

Head of legal services Marna Kock was also threatened with physical removal after councillors claimed he was conflicted in the matter. He eventually left the chamber.

Msimaga told journalists that the threats were nothing new.

“I received a very interesting letter last night of the intention of a motion of no confidence in me. This is at the same when I was told don’t table this report today (Wednesday). (But) I said that I am pushing (for the tabling of the report) because the name of the city and the party I represent is taking a huge beating,” he is quoted as saying by IOL.

“If there is a motion of no confidence coming I will still stand on principle; the motion can be served. If I am removed I will go into the public with pride and with my head held up high and say I didn’t stand for wrongdoing. I didn’t protect wrongdoing. More importantly I haven’t been bullied,” Msimanga said.

EFF and ANC councillors wanted the report dealt with together with access for the media and public.