Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Chris Dalton and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
The DA in Moqhaka welcomes the possible removal of Executive Mayor Mokatsane from the Moqhaka municipality. This stems from allegations of weak leadership, which aligns with our long-standing concerns about the ANC’s perceived incompetence in local government.
The ANC’s cadre deployment has broken municipalities in the Free State. In Moqhaka, Mayor Mokatsane’s failures show this clearly, including:
- Governance Issues:
The municipality has faced numerous challenges, including ballooning Eskom debt that reaches over 1.7 billion rand, unfunded budgets, and financial misconduct, to name a few, as well as job vacancies and a general lack of political will to stabilise the municipality. - Motions of No Confidence:
The DA, along with other opposition parties, lodged Motions of No Confidence against Mayor Mokatsane, citing his disrespectful conduct and failure to address municipal issues effectively.
- Controversial remarks include the following:
Mayor Mokatsane used derogatory language, referring to residents with a racial slur, sparking widespread criticism and calls for accountability.
The possible removal of Mayor Mokatsane is part of a broader shake-up in the ANC’s leadership, with six mayors in the Free State facing removal due to similar concerns about governance and accountability.
The DA views this as an opportunity for change and calls for the appointment of competent individuals to critical roles, prioritising transparency and accountability.