FILLING OF A CASUAL VACANCY OF A PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (PR) COUNCILLOR IN THE CITY OF TSHWANE

07 March 2023

The City Manager of Tshwane, Mr Johann Mettler, has written to the Gauteng Provincial Officer of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) this morning informing him of a casual vacancy which has occurred at the city following the disqualification of a Congress of the People (COPE) Proportional Representative (PR) Councillor, Dr Murunwa Makwarela.

Dr Makwarela was elected to the position of executive mayor of the City of Tshwane last Tuesday. 28 February 2023.

The disqualification is in terms of Section 158 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. 1996. also read with Section 47(1) (c) of the Constitution. Furthermore. this disqualification is also in terms of Schedule 1 Section 19 (c) (d) of the Municipal Structures Act (Act 117 of 1998.)

Item 18 of part 3 of Schedule 1. of the Local Government Structures Act (Act 117 of 1998) stipulates that if a Councillor elected from a party list ceases to hold office, the Chief Electoral Officer of the IEC must declare in writing the person whose name is at the top of the applicable party list to be elected in the vacancy.

In terms of the said Act. a party may supplement. change. or increase its list at any time. provided that if a Councillor elected according to party list ceases to hold office. The vacancy must be filled within 14 days after 21 days period.

Statement issued by Selby Bokaba, Divisional Head: Communication, Marketing and Events, City of Tshwane, 7 March 2023