Shivambu scoffs ‘media-hungry’ Lebogang Maile as embarrassment

Lebogang Maile has wedged himself into a corner and his political mates are nowhere to be found. Instead, Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) second-in-command Floyd Shivambu has scoffed at his recent troubles as simply “embarrassing”.

The battle for Gauteng marred by recent Cogta antics

The African National Congress (ANC) and EFF have been on the prowl for a total takeover of key Gauteng metros.

They have already won the City of Johannesburg and now the coalition’s eyes have been set on Tshwane, but the Democratic Alliance (DA) has heeded calls for it to relinquish its power over the metro.

Multiple botched motions of no-confidence votes against Tshwane speaker Katlego Mathebe and embattled mayor Stevens Mokgalapa have marred the coalition’s plans.

But nothing will hurt their ambitions more than the blunder caused by ANC affiliate and the Gauteng’s MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Maile.

On Thursday, the Cogta MEC informed the media of his decision to suspend former Johannesburg speaker Vasco da Gama and Mathebe for breaching the code of conduct for councillors.

Mathebe not satisfied: ‘Clear my name or face me in court’

Three days later, Maile did a 180-degree turn and rescinded his decision, claiming that this was done under the advice of his colleagues. He promised to offer more insight into his vague reasoning on Tuesday at a media briefing that has yet to commence.

As reported by Sowetan Live, Mathebe was not satisfied with the MEC’s decision to rescind the suspension. In fact, the speaker has called on Maile to publicly clear her name or face a defamation case in court.

“He also rubbished our names and he has a responsibility to clear our names as well. Just only rescinding the suspensions is not enough. As councillors, we have a responsibility to act in a manner that demonstrates integrity and he said we lack integrity. That’s a very serious indictment. So he must clear our names,” Mathebe warned.

Shivambu describes Maile’s meltdown as ’embarrassing’

The EFF deputy took to Twitter on Tuesday to weigh in on the troubles facing Maile. Shivambu chalked the MEC’s recent fumble as a “degree of confusion on the laws that govern local government”.

Shivambu scoffed Maile’s antics as embarrassing and claimed that more than anything, the Cogta MEC was battling with Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi for media attention.

The Gauteng COGTA MEC Lebohang Maile has some degree of confusion on the laws that govern local government, and at this rate, he will continue to embarrass himself. This is worsened by the fact that he’s contesting against Panyaza Lesufi for media headlines and cameras. It’s sad!

— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) January 28, 2020