Margaret Arnolds resigns as finance MMC to lead Joburg council as speaker
Newly elected City of Johannesburg council Speaker Margaret Arnolds has had to step down as finance MMC, as rules do not allow holding two positions.
She had to resign shortly before being sworn in by Gauteng Regional Court President Modibedi Djaje.
Arnolds was previously elected speaker in November 2023 but stepped down in August last year to take up the position of finance MMC after the election of Dada Morero as mayor.
In her latest acceptance speech, Arnolds said she was humbled by her election and expressed her sincere gratitude after she was elected to preside over the council and for her fellow councillors having confidence to elect her.
“Thank you for trusting me with this important role, and I fully understand the weight of the responsibility that comes with it. The legislature is not merely a forum for deliberation and debate,” she said.
Arnolds also committed herself to upholding the integrity of the institution she now leads and ensuring that the council operates within the bounds of the law.
Earlier, Arnolds, who is the African Independent Congress councillor, was nominated alongside the United Democratic Movement’s Monogamy Zigebe and Alex Christians of the DA.
Arnolds received 137 votes out of 249 cast while Christians and Zigebe managed 68 and five, respectively, and another 39 were spoiled.
She said her election came at a critical juncture in the council, where the need for maturity and stability cannot be overstated.
According to Arnolds, the government of local unity, which includes the ANC and EFF, among other political parties, presented a historic opportunity to rise above party interests and put the city’s residents first.
“I call upon all councillors, across the political divide, to work together in the spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility. Our residents expect service delivery, stability and leadership, not political squabbles,” she stated.
Arnolds said she hopes councillors will make the chambers a site of real transformation, meaningful debate, and collective solutions.
Her return follows the ousting ActionSA’s Nobuhle Mthembu following a motion of no confidence tabled by the DA a week ago.
Last Thursday, a total of 212 councillors voted against Mthembu, who could only manage 48 votes in her favour.
loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za