The Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus leader in Tshwane, Councillor Cilliers Brink, has promised to strive for an effective, clean and corruption-free government for residents following the appointment of what he calls an “ANC- EFF puppet mayor”.

Yesterday, Tshwane councillors voted to install Congress of the People's (Cope’s) Murunwa Makwarela as mayor. He was the council speaker. He received 112 votes by secret ballot, while Brink, who was up for the mayoral position as the DA’s nominated candidate, received 101 votes.

While Cope is a coalition partner with the DA, Makwarela was nominated by the African Transformation Movement.

Controversy surrounds the council members who voted for him, as indications are that African National Congress, Economic Freedom Fighters and even DA members voted for Makwarela.

“This a temporary setback, but this coalition of corruption poses a significant threat to service delivery and the financial sustainability of the capital city at a time when a bold financial recovery plan is essential,” said Brink.

Cilliers warned that, previously, a similar administration of the City of Tshwane was left with a R4.3-billion operating deficit and for seven months it was placed under administration and left without councillors to assist residents or hold officials to account.

He added that the DA and its coalition partners would take urgent steps to identify the “seven traitors” who voted against him, and to remove them in order to restore the multi-party coalition’s majority in Tshwane.