Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English and Setswana by Cllr Kagiso Mangwejane.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has tabled a motion of no confidence against Tswaing Local Municipality Speaker, Cllr Phemelo Lobelo, for continuously failing in her duties to efficiently preside over council meetings resulting in the deterioration of municipal governance and service delivery.
The DA’s motion states that Speaker Lobelo should be removed from her position with immediate effect in accordance with the provisions of Section 40 of the Municipal Structures Act (No 177 of 1998).
Speaker Lobelo has a long history of flouting Council’s Standing Rules and Orders.
On 9 July 2020, during a Council meeting, the Speaker caused chaos by deliberately ignoring a Council decision to suspend the Municipal Manager.
Speaker Lobelo has continuously refused to convene Special Council meetings petitioned for by a majority of Councillors in terms of Section 29(1) of the Municipal Structures Act.
Speaker Lobelo lacks the capacity to chair meetings impartially, instead, DA and other opposition Councillors are treated with disdain while our participation is restricted.
She has also failed to issue Council Notices and Agendas as required by the Rules which stipulates that Notices must be issued seven days before ordinary council meetings and 48-hours before Special Council meetings.
The Speaker also failed to adhere to the request by the MEC for Corporative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs to call a meeting of Councillors at which the new administrator was to be introduced as per the decision of Provincial Executive Council. She also failed to disclose this request to Council.
Speaker Lobelo conducted unlawful Council meetings which were not quorate and implemented the unlawful decisions taken during these meetings.
It is clear that Speaker Lobelo has a track-record of flouting the Rules to suit the agenda of her faction of the ANC. She has failed in her duties and needs to vacate her position so that a better-suited candidate can be elected who will be impartial and preside over Council meetings in line with the Rules.
The people of Tswaing needs leadership that will prioritize restoring service delivery and good governance.