Icosa moves to axe Kannaland mayor as council teeters on collapse

Icosa leader Jeffrey Donson filed for a motion of no confidence vote against Kannaland’s executives. FILE

Icosa leader Jeffrey Donson filed for a motion of no confidence vote against Kannaland’s executives. FILE

Published Oct 18, 2022

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Cape Town - THE political rift in the Kannaland Municipality is widening after former mayor Jeffrey Donson and his three counterparts called for a motion of no confidence against various municipal executives.

In a strongly-worded letter seen by Weekend Argus, Donson, leader of the Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (Icosa) called for a special council meeting to be convened this week.

Donson and his fellow Icosa councillors want ANC mayor Nicky Valentyn, his deputy, Leoni Stuurman, and the municipal manager, Ian Avontuur, voted out.

The letter was addressed to Avontuur who is fulfilling the duties of speaker as the councillor who previously held the post, Rodge Albertus, was ousted by his Kannaland Independent Party.

Avontuur granted Icosa’s request and scheduled the council meeting for October 21.

“I acknowledge receipt of the request to convene a special council meeting,” Avontuur said.

Valentyn told Weekend Argus that Icosa’s latest move is nothing but “politicking”.

“It will most likely pass, they are four, we are three,” Valentyn said. “I made peace with my fate, I’m a politician too and unfortunately that’s how things work.”

Donson was ousted as mayor of Kannaland in January following a motion of no confidence. The motion was tabled after Donson and his deputy, Werner Meshoa, refused to step down after it emerged they had criminal convictions including fraud and rape.

Stuurman couldn’t be reached for comment.

Weekend Argus.