‘Disappointed’ Campbell ready for opposition benches

Campbell lost the mayoral chain by seven votes on Wednesday, after 100 councillors voted in favour of the motion while 93 voted against it.

Addressing media moments after her ousting, Campbell said: “I stand before you [Ekurhuleni residents] today no longer as the mayor of this great city, but as the leader of the official opposition in council. 

“While we are clearly disappointed that the coalition of corruption succeeded in bringing an end to the good work and resident driven committed of the multi-party coalition, we accept that we have an equally important role to play from the opposition benches.”

Campbell listed a number of achievements she said the multi-party government she led had attained in the 10 months they had been in power, against the backdrop of global and domestic economic uncertainty.

“From the opening of a Skills Centre in Vosloorus to Early Childhood Development Centers in Palm Ridge and Katlehong, from electrifying 1 367 households which previously had no power to installing over 48 water points, from cleaning and rehabilitating 112 illegal dumping hotspots to more than 48 km of roads being rehabilitated,” she said.

Meanwhile, ANC Gauteng chairperson Panyaza Lesufi said they would not be distracted by the victory and provincial secretary TK Nciza has been tasked with starting negotiations to find Campbell’s replacement.

“We must declare in advance that it’s not over yet. We don’t want to be taken by emotions and unnecessary excitement. This was the one step of two steps. We still have to field the mayor and ensure that we win this municipality so we’ll immediately consult with all the parties that supported us to form government with us in this municipality.”

It’s widely expected that former mayor and the ANC’s leader in council Mzwandile Masina will make a return to the position.

Lesufi said while they will not impose their preferred candidate, they believe the support from smaller parties is a vote of confidence in the party’s renewal agenda. He said they have their eyes set on other municipalities where the ANC had lost power - but they are not in a rush.

“We are in tense discussions. The partnership that we have formed with some of the coalition partners here will automatically yield power back to the ANC.“

He added that the reinstatement of Joburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse, who was ousted in a no confidence vote that has now been overalled by the courts, was but a “minor setback”.