Patricia de Lille will only be able to endure the no confidence motion against her on one condition.
IOL reported that the Western Cape High Court have heard that the Cape Town mayor will be able to get through the ordeal if the secret vote, which she applied for last week, happens.
De Lille’s advocate, Dali Mpofu SC, says that the councillors will not vote fairly if Mmusi Maimane and James Selfe are keeping an eye on them.
“We know that they want to remove her,” Mpofu said. “They have made it abundantly clear in media statements that they want the mayor out of office. And she has said that she is okay with that. But let’s be honest, those councillors won’t vote freely if they know that James Selfe and Mmusi (Maimane) are watching them.”
Mpofu added that it would take 116 counsellors for the motion to be a triumph.
“There are 231 councillors in the City of Cape Town. They would need 116 councillors to succeed. Now there are about 59 DA councillors who were initially against the motion. Let’s say that same number (59) votes against the motion and together with the 77 councillors in the council the motion will fail. The DA has about 154 councillors, but only 84 voted in favour of the but only 84 voted in favour of the motion.”
The advocate says Selfe told the counsellors how to vote. “In the very first meeting James Selfe went to the DA councillors and gave them instruction as to how to vote. But now they have changed their tune. How can we trust that?”
Mpofu claims that the DA are “manipulating the rules” in order to get De Lille out.
“They want to get rid of her by manipulating the rules of council.”
De Lille keeping herself busy
Meanwhile, De Lille kept herself busy this Valentine’s Day spending the morning handing title deeds over to Athlone, Hanover Park and Silvertown residents. She also popped in by Archbishop Desmond Tutu afterwards.
Spent the morning handing over title deeds to residents from Hanover Park, Silvertown and Athlone as part of our commitment to redress the imbalances of the past where people were denied the right to own property. The transfer of ownership is how we dismantle apartheid legacy. pic.twitter.com/GnEZE1EyTm
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) February 14, 2018
These are truly special moments when finally after years of living in a property, these residents can now call this place their own and they have the proof. #titledeedhandover pic.twitter.com/pSvmgxhsgp
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) February 14, 2018
While in Athlone this morning I did a spontaneous pop in at an event where the City’s Women for Change Programme was being celebrated with our community mothers. The support on the ground is very different from those who think with their stomachs. pic.twitter.com/NyL6fspJyL
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) February 14, 2018
Even got a Valentine’s Day card ?Thank you to all the Women for Change for the love this morning and the important work you do in our communities to help us combat social ills. pic.twitter.com/OVmcd4aVbc
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) February 14, 2018
I am so grateful for the the support and words of encouragement offered by the Arch @TheDesmondTutu and Mama Leah. Two amazing leaders I have great love and respect for. pic.twitter.com/hIqXTOP3Ub
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) February 14, 2018
Our beloved Arch and that infectious laugh. pic.twitter.com/B7rxHisfK5
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) February 14, 2018
Picture: Facebook
