Lephalale local municipality in Limpopo has its third mayor in just two and a half years due to ongoing political infighting in the ANC-led council.
The first mayor was Alpheus Tulare, appointed after the 2021 local government elections. But his mayoral tenure was short-lived after the ANC’s Limpopo provincial executive committee ordered him to step down to make way for the election of another councillor, Aaron Mokgehle.
not wanted
Although Mokgehle is seen as the Limpopo ANC’s favourite, many of his council colleagues do not want him.
He instead voted with the opposition which saw the Democratic Alliance’s Nico Pienaar elected as the second mayor for the municipality in less than 12 months.
This week, another special council sitting in the municipal chamber saw the ANC divided over mayor Mokgehle.
Also read: Dispute over Lephalale mayor continues
But it was against the appointment of Mokgehle, who won 15 seats, that made less popular but experienced councilor Luisa Shongwe the third mayor.
Mokgehle received seven votes while Pienaar received four and three ballots were spoiled. Convenor of the ANC Women’s League in the Waterberg region, Wilhelmina Modise, said Shongwe is a former councilor in ward 5 and was a member of the Lephalale executive council for two consecutive terms.
“She knows her story and we believe her, especially now that she will be working with the municipal manager, who is also a woman,” Modise said.
“It is time for women to show their male counterparts that they can lead. We will make sure service delivery becomes a reality. Shongwe could not be reached for comment.
READ MORE: Opposition party bid to oust Limpopo mayor fails