Cllr Sarah Athingozwidivha Rammbuda was elected as new mayor of the Thulamela Municipality on Monday during the council meeting held at the George Phadagi Community Hall.
Altogether 80 councillors were sworn in by Commissioner Mukoma Maiwashe, a magistrate in Thohoyandou, during the inaugural council meeting. Cllr Fulufhelo Mutheiwana will serve as the new Speaker, while Cllr Tshimangadzo Malada was elected as Chief Whip of the municipality.
Speaking after being elected as the new mayor to lead the biggest municipality in Limpopo, Rammbuda thanked the African National Congress (ANC) for trusting her to lead the municipality. Rammbuda is no stranger to such positions and previously served as mayor of the now-defunct Mutale Municipality. She promised to work hard with her councillors to make Thulamela one of the best municipalities in terms of delivering services to the people.
"We want to work as per the Thulamela Local Municipality's integrated development plan to meet measurable targets and to respond to the demands of changing circumstances for our communities. We want to make sure that we improve on our unqualified audit opinion we have received for seven consecutive years to move to a clean audit opinion," said Rammbuda.
Rammbuda added that they would work around the clock to fight corruption and maladministration and said those found on the wrong side of the law would be shown the door out of the municipality.
An opposition councillor from the International Revelations Congress (IRC), Cllr Khakhathi "Murida" Tshisikule, said he appreciated the confidence the people showed by voting him into office. He said as new member of the council he would push hard for service delivery.