The Speaker of the Legislature in the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Vasco da Gama is confident that his ruling to elect Section 79 committee chairpersons was done in accordance with Rule 24 of the Standing Rules and Order of Council, 2016.

“I have noted the African National Congress’s (ANC) intention to approach the Court on the process in which 16 Section 79 committee chairpersons’ were elected at the Council meeting of 27 January 22”, says Speaker Da Gama.

All 16 committee chairpersons were elected unopposed after some delays by the opposition. Speaker Da Gama says, “I am quite confident that my ruling to elect by a show of hands will be upheld by the court. The ANC is wasting its time and continues to show its inability to grasp the Standing Rules of Council after being in power for so many years in Johannesburg”. The ANC caucus officially withdrew their nomination of Section 79 Chairpersons.

He said that as part of the induction sessions for councillors during early February “these and other important matters would be thoroughly discussed” to avoid unnecessary future disruptions to council meetings.

Ends
Issued on behalf of Councillor Vasco da Gama, Speaker of Council