The Knysna Municipality in South Africa is currently without a mayor and mayoral committee after the African National Congress (ANC) removed Mayor Thando Matika from his position on Friday. According to Speaker Mark Willemse, the ANC Provincial Executive notified his office of the decision, which was made after Matika and a Ward 7 councillor were named as candidates for the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the upcoming local government elections.
With Matika's removal, Deputy Mayor Morton Gericke has taken over as acting mayor, while the mayoral committee has automatically dissolved. Willemse stated that the process to elect a new mayor has not yet begun, but Deputy Mayor Gericke has assumed the executive authority of a mayor until a new one is elected. The municipal manager has 14 days to notify the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), which will then inform the council of the ANC's replacement candidate before they are sworn in.
The ANC's decision to remove Matika was made in accordance with the party's rules, which prohibit members from participating in other political parties' campaigns. The move has left the Knysna Municipality without a mayoral committee, which is typically responsible for overseeing the municipality's operations. However, Speaker Willemse has dismissed reports that a new mayoral committee cannot be elected due to a lack of quorum, saying the matter was never on the agenda.
Willemse attributed the poor attendance of councillors at recent meetings to a recurring problem, with only nine councillors attending the latest sitting. He stated that three prior special council meetings were called, but the coalition councillors did not attend, and there was no request for a leave of absence. The lack of attendance has hindered the council's ability to make decisions and conduct business.
The Knysna Municipality's situation is further complicated by the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for November 4th. The ANC's removal of Matika and the subsequent dissolution of the mayoral committee have raised concerns about the municipality's ability to function effectively in the lead-up to the elections. Deputy Mayor Gericke's role as acting mayor is expected to provide stability until a new mayor is elected.
Speaker Willemse emphasized that the normal procedure for electing a new mayor will be followed, and the deputy mayor has all the executive authority of a mayor until a new one is elected. He expressed hope that a new mayor can be elected before the local government elections on November 4th. The IEC will play a crucial role in facilitating the election of a new mayor, and the municipal manager's notification will trigger the process.
The situation in Knysna highlights the complexities of municipal politics in South Africa, where coalition governments and party affiliations can often lead to instability. As the municipality navigates this challenging period, residents and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds and how it affects the delivery of services and governance in the area.
Key points
- Deputy Mayor Morton Gericke has taken over as acting mayor of Knysna Municipality.
- The mayoral committee has automatically dissolved following Mayor Thando Matika's removal.
- The municipal manager has 14 days to notify the IEC of the ANC's replacement candidate.
