Chaos in Sedibeng Council as tear gas disrupts mayoral election meeting

A Sedibeng District Municipality council meeting, set to elect a new mayor, descended into chaos after tear gas was deployed in the council chamber, forcing an evacuation, yesterday. A reconvening was planned for 18:00 last night, but this became impossible after the Municipal Manager reported receiving death threats and refused to risk his safety for an evening meeting. This follows the recent removal of the executive mayor Lerato Maloka, through a motion of no confidence. Insiders indicate tensions are escalating between senior officials and the troika, with the Municipal Manager at odds with the ousted mayor. Meanwhile, an ANC Mayoral Committee member was caught in a voice note rejecting Moipone as a mayoral candidate. The future of the Sedibeng Council now rests with the MEC for The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, while the DA and EFF condemn the disorder.