On Sunday, Acting Cape Town Mayor, Ian Neilson announced that a new mayoral committee for the City has been delayed until Monday out of respect to the High Court.
The Federal Executive of the Democratic Alliance (DA) officially rescinded Mayor Patricia de Lille’s party membership ON Tuesday – which effectively axed her from her job as Mayor of Cape Town – and dissolved the city council.
Neilson was sworn in as acting mayor shortly after, but no Mayoral Committee has been chosen, leaving the City in limbo.
On Friday, De Lille, who stands accused of several allegations, including misconduct and bringing the party into disrepute, turned to the courts to reinstate her but no concrete decision has been forthcoming.
In a statement, Neilson said, “As is known‚ last week Alderman Patricia de Lille applied urgently to the High Court in Cape Town for an interim order reinstating her membership of the DA and as Executive Mayor pending the determination of an application by her for final relief against the DA (which is to be heard on May 25).”
“I am required by statute to appoint a Mayoral Committee (Mayco) to assist me in the governance of the City‚ and I am ready to do so. I am advised that‚ legally‚ nothing precludes me from proceeding with the appointment of a Mayco‚ but out of respect to the Court I will delay making the appointment until 3pm on Monday May 14 2018.
“If by then‚ the High Court has not ruled on Alderman De Lille’s application‚ upholding her application for the interim order‚ I will proceed with the appointment of a new Mayco. I will not be able to wait any longer than that because without a Mayco from early in the coming week the governance of the City will be compromised‚” Neilson said.
Picture: Twitter