Following weeks of political turmoil within the Tshwane Council as well as a failed motion of no-confidence against Council Speaker, Mncedi Mdzwanana, the city’s Council will attempt to elect the new Executive Mayor of the Council.

With the Council having met yesterday following the petition sent by the DA-led coalition calling for the Speaker’s removal, the Council seemed to have more decorum today as a new Congress of the People (Cope) councilor was introduced to the house.

Ofentse  Moalusi was sworn in by the IEC last week as a Council member and now fills the Cope vacancy as a Council member.

This is following the resignation of the embattled Cope member and former Executive Mayor, Dr Murunwa Makwarela, as well as various internal party disputes that saw Thabang Sefanyetso removed as a Council member.

With Council proceedings already off to a slow start, an hour caucus was granted which saw Cope Johannesburg Councillor and Speaker of Council, Colleen Makhubele make an appearance at Tshwane House once again, causing a stir among members of her party.

Currently, the only known candidate for the mayoral position is the DA’s Cilliers Brink, with the ANC-led coalition rumoured to change their PAC candidate for the newest member of Council, Ofentse  Moalusi.

The absence of an Executive Mayor has resulted in the Council failing to pass the Adjustment Budget, with Provincial Treasury granting the Council a deadline extension.

Meanwhile, municipal-contracted workers from various entities are still protesting outside Tshwane House, accusing the municipality of not paying them for over six months.

Many are calling for answers, adding that politics in Council and the absence should not exempt the municipality from paying their salaries.

This is a developing story, more updates to follow.