Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Linda Louwrens and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL.
Moqhaka has failed to permanently appoint critical senior managers since the beginning of the current Council term in 2021. For almost five years, key positions have remained vacant or have been occupied in an acting capacity.
This is unacceptable for a municipality responsible for delivering essential services to thousands of residents. The DA will continue to demand that critical senior management positions be filled through a transparent, lawful and merit-based process.
A chaotic Special Council meeting held in Moqhaka on 18 August 2026 once again exposed the deepening governance crisis within the municipality and the growing divisions within the ANC-led governing coalition.
The Special Council meeting was convened, among other matters, to deal with the appointment of an Acting Municipal Manager (AMM) following the expiry of the term of the current AMM.
Moqhaka is facing serious financial, administrative and service-delivery challenges. The municipality needs stable, competent and accountable senior management, not continued uncertainty, political wrangling and delays.
The events of the meeting also exposed further political pressure surrounding the appointment of an AMM.
Pressure was placed on the Executive Mayor to approach the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to request the secondment of an AMM after the MEC indicated that the current AMM’s term would not be extended.
The MEC has also raised concerns regarding the legality of the current Acting AMM’s appointment, which has been in place for almost three years.
These developments raise serious questions about governance, legal compliance and the political will to resolve Moqhaka’s leadership crisis.
Senior managers are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the municipality and the implementation of Council decisions.
Continued vacancies and excessive reliance on acting appointments directly affect:
- Financial management;
- Infrastructure planning and maintenance;
- Service delivery;
- Human-resource management;
- Engineering and technical services;
- Revenue collection;
- Compliance and governance; and
- Long-term municipal planning.
Moqhaka cannot continue operating through a revolving door of acting appointments.
Residents deserve permanent, competent and suitably qualified officials who can be held accountable for their performance.
Moqhaka cannot afford another five years of political instability, acting appointments and delayed decisions.
The municipality needs a government that will get back to basics, appoint competent people, enforce consequence management and put residents first.
The DA will continue fighting for a capable, accountable and properly managed municipality.
Residents deserve leadership that puts service delivery before political interests.