Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Estelle Pretorius and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Mahalia Kose.
The DA in Tswelopele will approach the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) to intervene in the municipality’s deepening governance crisis. Urgent action is needed to resolve the current leadership impasse, restore lawful administration and prevent further deterioration in service delivery to residents.
The municipality has been left without a legally recognised Accounting Officer following disputed decisions taken at a Council meeting on 24 June. While a new Mayor and Executive Committee were appointed, the legality of those decisions is now before the High Court, which is set to hear the matter on 6 August. Until then, uncertainty at the top of the municipality threatens effective governance and service delivery.
On 24 June, the ANC-led Council adopted a motion of no confidence against Mayor Kenalemang Phukuntsi and terminated the contract of the Acting Municipal Manager. The Acting Municipal Manager subsequently approached the High Court to challenge the decision. As a result, the municipality currently has no legally recognised Accounting Officer, despite legislation requiring one to oversee the administration and financial management of the municipality.
The municipality also finds itself in the position of effectively having two Mayors, two mayoral vehicles supplied by the Government Garage, and two mayoral salaries being paid. This raises serious concerns about irregular expenditure.
At a time when residents expect reliable basic services, public funds cannot be wasted on unlawful administrative arrangements.
Without an Accounting Officer to authorise expenditure, oversee municipal operations and ensure compliance with legislation, it is only a matter of time before service delivery deteriorates further.
Residents will ultimately pay the price through delays in service delivery, weakened governance and growing financial instability.