Abel Tau appointed acting Mayor of Tshwane after Mokgalapa scandal

The Democratic Alliance (DA) appointed Councillor Abel Tau on Thursday, 28 November 2019, as the Acting Mayor of Tshwane, after the current Mayor, Stevens Mokgalapa had to take special leave for an investigation into his alleged sex scandal. 

According to EWN, Mokgalapa is on special leave while the party (DA) investigates, following allegations that he had sex with MMC for Roads and Transport, Sheila Senkubuge.

Mogkalapa has maintained his innocence, saying he was blackmailed when an audio recording was leaked to the public.

Who is Abel Tau?

Tau has been serving as a member of the MMC for Utilities since 2019 as well as the DA Gauteng north regional chairperson since 2017.

“Together with his mayoral team, he will continue to deliver efficient basic services to the residents of Tshwane and ensure that other services rendered to residents are not affected,” the DA said in a statement announcing his appointment.

Mokgalapa’s alleged sex scandal 

As reported earlier by TheSouthAfrican.com, Mokgalapa claimed that he was being extorted and blackmailed after a recording, allegedly detailing his sexual misconduct with Senkubuge, was leaked over the weekend.

The audio recording, almost half an hour-long, came at the worst possible time for Mokgalapa, as the mayor prepared to face a motion of no confidence, supported by both the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and African National Congress (ANC), on Thursday, 21 November 2019. 

Mokgalapa, said the recording has been doctored and has laid charges of extortion against law enforcement agencies. A statement issued by the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Gauteng Provincial Leader, John Moodey, late on Sunday 24 November, said:

“The DA’s political leadership will meet with the mayor whilst the DA’s Federal Legal Commission has been tasked to conduct an internal investigation into the matter.

Mayor Mokgalapa has laid charges of extortion and invasion of privacy against some known and unknown individuals at the Brooklyn police station as well as with the Hawks.”