Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Chris Dalton and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL with the letter written to the MEC here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for the immediate rescission of Ms Mamaliso Lizzie Ntsepe’s appointment as Acting Municipal Manager of Moqhaka Local Municipality and demands that Council comply with the clear directive from the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to terminate her employment contract as Director: Corporate Support Services.
The decision to appoint Ms Ntsepe as Acting Municipal Manager is a shocking display of disregard for both good governance and the rule of law. The MEC for COGTA has explicitly stated that Ms Ntsepe’s previous appointment as Director: Corporate Support Services was invalid and must be rescinded, not merely suspended. Instead of respecting this directive, Council has chosen to double down on its defiance by placing her in the highest acting administrative office, thereby compounding the original error and undermining the legitimacy of the municipality’s leadership.
This appointment is not only procedurally flawed but also fundamentally unethical. The Council’s refusal to act on the MEC’s instruction to rescind, rather than suspend, Ms Ntsepe’s previous appointment demonstrates a wilful disregard for oversight, transparency, and accountability. The process has been marred by the selective application of rules, a lack of transparency, and a blatant prioritisation of internal alliances over the community’s interests. These actions erode public trust and set a dangerous precedent for future governance in Moqhaka.
The people of Moqhaka deserve leadership that is beyond reproach and fully compliant with the law. The DA therefore reiterates our demand: rescind Ms Ntsepe’s appointment as Acting Municipal Manager, terminate her contract as Director: Corporate Support Services, and request that the MEC second a suitably qualified and experienced senior manager to act in the position pending the finalisation of the disciplinary processes.
Anything less is a betrayal of the community’s trust and a violation of the standards of good governance that every resident has a right to expect.
Our provincial spokesperson on COGTA, Mr. David Mc Kay, did write to the MEC calling for immediate intervention to address this ongoing disregard for lawful directives and to ensure compliance with the MEC’s original instruction.