Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Linda Louwrens and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr David Nzunga.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Moqhaka Local Municipality will continue to oppose political deals that prioritise patronage over service delivery and will formally raise concerns about recent council decisions that have compromised the municipality’s stability and governance.
The DA in Moqhaka notes the announcement of the Mayoral Committee and the now-formation of a patronage coalition led by the ANC in Moqhaka. The ANC and the MCF entered into a coalition agreement on 18 May 2026, under which the MCF was awarded an MMC position and a Section 79 Ethics Committee position.
Subsequently, Council was required to elect an Acting Municipal Manager after the term of the seconded Acting Municipal Manager from COGTA was not extended further. This led the Council to look internally and appoint a director, whose appointment has already been questioned by the MEC for COGTA. The DA supported the Mayor’s proposal to extend the term of the experienced official from COGTA in the interest of stability and good governance.
However, the ANC faction and its coalition partner, the MCF, chose political convenience over principle, thereby compromising the community’s interests. The VF Plus also failed to participate in the voting process, raising serious concerns about what they truly represent at such a critical time for Moqhaka.
The MCF’s actions further expose their hypocrisy. The party previously submitted several motions to Council calling for the removal of the same director, whom they have now supported for the position of Acting Municipal Manager.
This is not surprising, considering that the MCF campaigned for the ACT of Ace Magashule during the national and provincial elections. The ANC’s continued lack of political will has placed the Moqhaka Local Municipality in a poor state, particularly due to the failure to appoint Section 56 managers since the beginning of the current term, which ends on 4 November.
Residents deserve accountable leadership, stable governance, and a municipality that delivers services effectively. Only a vote for the DA will lead to change and a working local government.