The Gauteng High Court has reviewed and set aside, with costs, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula’s decision to recall Douglas Maimane as executive mayor and councillor.
The recall came after a leaked audio recording in which Maimane allegedly offered opposition councillors R200 000 to campaign against his own party.
Maimane brought an urgent application to set aside the recall in the Gauteng High Court, arguing that the recall was made without giving him an opportunity to defend himself against allegations that he had attempted to bribe opposition councillors to oust the ANC.
Maimane said in a statement that an attempt by opposition members, the speaker of the municipality, Ditshego Mbezi, and a faction of ANC members to pass a motion of no confidence against him at a recent council meeting failed when the meeting collapsed.
He said the speaker had been forbidden by a High Court interdict from proceeding with the motion she was championing.
“She apparently thought she would become the new executive mayor. In fact, she attempted to proceed with the meeting despite the court order. A contempt of court case against her is currently being investigated by the police,” Maimane said.
“I regret that I had to approach the court for legal relief. I reaffirm my commitment to the ANC.” Maimane called on Mbalula to rather take action against 10 ANC members who disrupted the municipality’s activities for two days in March during a protest.
