Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Hilton Maasdorp and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Lucas Xaba.
The Democratic Alliance in Dihlabeng will formally refer the conduct of the Council meeting held on 6 July 2026 to the Free State MEC responsible for Cooperative Governance following developments at the last ordinary Council meeting.
During the Council sitting on 30 July 2026, Council adopted the minutes of the 6 July 2026 meeting. During the debate on the adoption of the minutes, the DA raised its objection that the meeting had continued after the required quorum was no longer present. Despite this concern being placed on record, the minutes were adopted.
A quorum is the minimum number of councillors who must be present for Council to lawfully conduct its business and take decisions. This requirement exists to ensure that decisions affecting residents are made transparently, fairly, and in accordance with the Constitution.
The DA further submitted that the Speaker did not comply with the Council’s Standing Rules and Orders by allowing the meeting to continue after the quorum had been lost. In our view, once the required number of councillors was no longer present, the meeting should have been adjourned and no further resolutions should have been considered.
This matter goes beyond procedural compliance. It concerns the integrity and legality of Council’s decision-making processes. Residents are entitled to expect that every decision taken by Council is made in accordance with the law and that the rules governing Council proceedings are applied consistently and without exception.
The DA will therefore request the MEC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the 6 July 2026 Council meeting, determine whether the proceedings complied with the applicable legal requirements, and consider whether any corrective action is necessary.
The DA remains committed to promoting transparent, accountable, and lawful governance. We will continue to uphold the principles of good governance and act in the best interests of the residents of Dihlabeng.