JOBURG is once again without a mayor.
This after Al Jama-ah leader, Thapelo Amad resigned as the city’s executive mayor on Monday night, 24 April.
Gauteng Premier and ANC leader Panyaza Lesufi said the government of local unity was called to an urgent meeting by their coalition partner to inform them of Amad’s resignation.
"Moments ago, the political management of the government of local unity Johannesburg consisting of the ANC, PA, Al Jamah, AIC, GOOD, ATM, AHC, PAC, COPE, UDM, and APC met to discuss an an urgent matter presented to us by Al Jamah.
"In the meeting, Al Jamah presented to us the resignation letter of executive mayor of Johannesburg councillor Thapelo Ahmed," said Lesufi on Monday evening.
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He said after the parties engaged in lengthy deliberation and consultation, they reluctantly accepted the resignation letter of the executive mayor.
Amad’s resignation came a day before he faced a motion of no confidence together with council speaker and Congress of the People member Colleen Makhubele as well as ANC chief whip Sthembiso Zungu on Tuesday, 25 April.
The motions are sponsored by the DA and ActionSA.
Amad was elected mayor on 27 January 2023 and sworn on 30 January after DA’s Dr Mpho Phalatse was removed in a vote of no confidence for the second time.
Lesufi said as the government of local unity in Joburg, they remained resolute and would defend motions against the speaker and the chief whip.
"We want to take this opportunity to thank Councillor Thapelo Ahmed for agreeing to represent the collective as the executive mayor. We further want to thank him for preserving the interest of the government of local unity," said Lesufi.
The ActionSA said it welcomed "the overdue resignation of the ANC and EFF propelled mayor" ahead of their planned motion of no confidence against him.
"We hope his resignation opens the door for a stable coalition that can oust the ANC-EFF in the economic hub of the country. Mayor Thapelo Amad ran away at night to avoid imminent removal by a successful motion of no confidence, saving embarrassment for the ANC-EFF coalition," ActionSA Gauteng chairman Funzi Ngobeni
