Note to Editors: Please find English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr David Masoeu.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is not surprised that hardly a week after the intervention team from CoGTA has taken control of the administration in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, there is already an attempt by the governing party’s faction to undermine the administration.
The DA did sound a warning that failure to separate administrative activities from the governing party’s political infighting in MMM continues to compromise service delivery and effective implementation of financial recovery plan by the intervention team. This is evidenced by the now failed attempt by the provincial government to rescue the Metro from facing the financial difficulties that the municipality finds itself in.
The power struggles and corruption that have engulfed the governing party is the source of failing administration and poor service delivery in the Municipality because of political interference in the Administration. The officials are being used to fight political battles rather than doing administrative work as contain in the prescripts.
This past week, residents of Mangaung were once again denied services that they pay for because the municipality failed to pay salaries and overtime of the employees. This led to an unprotected strike marred by unprecedented violence and intimidation.
The DA calls on the intervention team under the leadership of the Acting City Manager, Mr Tebogo Motlashuping to take decisive action to rectify the situation and apply consequence management to officials who are taking part in the factional battles of the governing party.
The DA will continue to fight for the residents of Mangaung to make sure that they receive the services they deserve.