THE DA’s Tyrone Gray was elected mayor Mogale City on Gauteng’s West Rand while the party’s Jacqui Pannall now occupies the Speaker position.
The latest development is another significant win for the blue party, which also bagged City of Johannesburg and City of Ekurhuleni metros on Monday.
Gray secured 45 nods while the ANC’s Lucky Sele only bagged 31.
The DA had come second to the ANC in the recent elections securing 32% of the vote.
But with the EFF’s support, which had 13% of the vote and the backing of the Freedom Front Plus, the DA has been able to clinch top positions in these municipalities.
During the 2016 local government elections, the DA had also ascended to power with the help of the EFF, but after a motion of no confidence in the leadership, the ANC regained power.
DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said Mogale City had been plagued by serious service delivery challenges, financial mismanagement and lack of economic growth and productivity.
“The DA is excited to bring its brand of good governance and to turn things around for the embattled municipality. On our to-do list will be to get the basics right by working to restore service delivery, revitalising the local economy and fixing the public transport system,” said Msimanga.
“We are aware that success will not be achieved overnight, but our team of councillors are capable and up to the task. The DA wishes Mayor Gray and his team well.”
