THE DA’s Mpho Phalatse has won a court bid challenging her removal as the City of Johannesburg mayor.
The South Gauteng high court declared on Tuesday that her removal from office was unlawful and unconstitutional.
The court found that the decision to place a motion of no confidence against her was unlawful.
Judge Keightley ruled that the programming committee meeting chaired by Joburg council Speaker, Colleen Makhubele, that tabled the motion of no confidence in Phalatse on 29 September was unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid.
Phalatse has been declared to be the executive mayor of the city of Johannesburg.
“This judgment should act as a warning to politicians across the country, who are prepared to do anything, even undermine the law, to grab power for the sake of accessing resources, instead of doing the work they were elected to do and delivering quality services to residents,” said Phalatse.
“The taps of corruption will once again be closed so that we can keep the lights on, water running and residents safe. Residents will once again begin to see and feel a different and better Joburg.”
DA leader John Steenhuisen said the court ruling was “a massive victory for democracy and the rule of law.”
“We have always maintained that the ANC’s power grab was unlawful,” said Steenhuisen.
“Now is the time for parties committed to service delivery and good governance to unite behind Mayor Mpho Phalatse and stop the corrupt ANC.”
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