THE ANC in Tlokwe yesterday successfully returned ousted mayor Maphetle Maphetle to the town's mayoral seat despite threats of a legal challenge.

DA councillor in the Tlokwe city council Hans Moolman had warned speaker Barei Mosiane-Segotso and ANC councillors that they could be hauled before court in their "personal capacity" if they went ahead with plans to pass a motion of no-confidence in opposition party mayor Annette Combrink.

But this threat was not enough to prevent the ousting of Combrink by 30 to 22 votes.

This time all ANC councillors voted according to party lines. In November last year, Maphetle was forced to vacate the mayoral seat after the council, with the help of ANC councillors, passed a motion of no confidence in him.

Maphetle has also been plagued by allegations of corruption. Former mayor Combrink instituted a forensic investigation into allegations in the reinstated mayor.

Maphetle yesterday said Combrink had not informed the council of plans to institute the forensic investigation, as she should have.

The DA served papers in the Pretoria High Court on Monday, pointing out "irregularities" in the manner in which the ANC intended to remove Combrink from power.

Mosiane-Segotso told Moolman that voting on the motion would proceed because the court had not halted the process.

Councillor David Kham, who was widely believed to have been part of efforts to remove Maphetle last year, publicly voted for the removal of Combrink.

Realising that they would be defeated, DA councillors - who had previously stated they would not vote - declared that they would take part in the proceedings but would do so "under protest". - molatlhwao@sowetan.co.za