Maphongo, Manyapetsa lose mayoral seats
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday June 7, 2022 06:00
Sebele Ward councillor, Austin Abraham is expected to ascend to mayorship today (Monday) at the commencement of the city’s Full Council meeting. Abraham got 17 votes to Maphongo’s 14 while Motamma Sesinyi received only one vote. Even though the opposition could file an opposing name, the BDP has more councillors to easily claim victory. Specially elected councillor, Manyapetsa lost his deputy mayoral chain to Oduetse Tautona. Tautona received 18 votes to Manyapetsa’s 14.
According to sources, the two fallen leaders' losses were attributed to their fallout. Early this year, media reports registered a fallout between the outgoing mayor and his deputy, who had not been working together for some time. The fallout reportedly started when Maphongo reported his deputy and two other councillors to the party for allegedly disrespecting him during a full council meeting.
They were, however, acquitted and discharged by a party disciplinary hearing. Maphongo and Manyapetsa were loved by many as they seemed to be on the right track and were slowly bringing some developments to the city. However, the BDP caucus still saw things go their way in a close contest. In a February interview with Abraham, he had denied having an interest in the mayoral position then. “I do not have any interest in contesting for that seat. I respect both the mayor and his deputy,” he had said at the time.
Tautona also denied having had an interest in the deputy mayor position. “I am not going to contest for that position,” he had said.