Ekurhuleni Council votes for new speaker amid looming financial crisis

Secret ballot voting is currently underway for a new Council Speaker in the Ekurhuleni Municipality.

The Economic Freedom Fighters' (EFF) Nkululeko Dunga and the African Transformation Movement's (ATM) John Senona are the only two candidates vying for the position.

The speaker's position became vacant last week following the resignation of Dora Mlambo, who was subsequently appointed the MMC for Economic Infrastructure and Development.

The vote for a new Council Speaker is expected to reveal emerging political alliances in the Ekurhuleni Council, which has been rocked by significant instability of late.

ALSO READ:

ANC navigates a precarious minority rule in Ekurhuleni

EFF pulls out of ANC-led governing coalition in Ekurhuleni

Senona is backed by the ANC and its coalition of small parties.

Meanwhile, Dunga will require support from either the DA or ActionSA to secure the seat.

The incoming Speaker faces an immediate and daunting to-do list. Chief among these tasks is the urgent tabling of the city’s adjustment budget, which is already overdue by National Treasury standards.

Furthermore, the municipality is currently grappling with the risk of having its debt securities suspended by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

This follows a missed deadline for submitting audited financial statements documents that must be passed by the Council before they can be officially submitted.