Note to Editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Cllr Alison Oates, Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Eleanor Quinta and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Paseka Mokoena
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will formally participate in and monitor the Code of Conduct investigation into the conduct of Mayor Malekulo Melato to ensure full accountability within the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality. This is necessary to protect residents from instability in leadership, which directly affects service delivery, financial oversight and community trust in local government.
At a Maluti-a-Phofung Council meeting held on 27 February 2026, Council accepted a report confirming that the Executive Mayor had misled Council. In August 2025, the Mayor assured Council that MMC Cllr Crockett “has been removed as MMC for the Social Development Directorate and is now an ordinary ward councillor”. It has since emerged that while the Mayor may have requested the MMC’s resignation, she did not formally remove her from office, despite having the authority to do so. The Mayor has previously exercised this power in respect of another MMC, yet in this instance claimed she was unable to act.
Although the matter was raised at several subsequent Council meetings, the Mayor failed to correct the record. In terms of the Code of Conduct for Councillors, a new committee has now been established to investigate the alleged breach and recommend appropriate sanctions.
The Mayor’s credibility has previously been questioned following findings by the Public Protector South Africa relating to misrepresentations about her qualifications during her tenure at the Lesedi Local Municipality.
The DA will also seek full disclosure regarding the funding of the Mayor’s trip to China last year and whether all declaration requirements were properly complied with. Ethical leadership is essential; when a Mayor misleads Council, public trust is eroded and governance is weakened. Residents deserve transparent and accountable leadership.