MBOMBELA – “The ANC is a caring organisation. We don’t just dump people.” The party’s provincial secretary Mr Lucky Ndinisa told Lowvelderyesterday that the executive mayors who were recalled from local municipalities earlier this week will all be utilised elsewhere.
He announced the decision by the provincial executive committee (PEC) to recall the four mayors on Tuesday. The move was to address challenges in municipalities ranging from poor political and financial governance, poor conduct and discipline among councillors to indecisiveness in dealing with corruption and a lack of public engagement, according to the PEC.
Mr Bafana Ncongwane, who was the mayor of the dysfunctional Thaba Chweu Local Municipality for the past three years will be moving to Ehlanzeni District Municipality. “We redeploy cadres on the basis of their strengths,” Ndinisa said.
“We have been watching him closely and found it is not good for him to interact with the people. He is a better strategist and on a district level he will be able to plan how we can better service delivery.”
Ncongwane was replaced by Cllr Selina Mashego during a special council meeting on Wednesday.
“We don’t expect miracles,” Ndinisa said.
“We believe that she will bring the necessary skills and wisdom and zeal to make a difference. We know there are administrative challenges. We expect a strong leader of her calibre to make a difference.”
Mashego, a member of the PEC, told council after being sworn in that she would do her best.
“This change is to accelerate the processes in TCM and to improve the livelihood of the poor and underprivileged in bringing better lives to our people. There is still a lot of work that has to be done. Our people want economic opportunities and need better roads and services. The task is big and can’t be postponed any more.”
Recalled mayor of Lekwa, Ms Caroline Morajane has been moved to Gert Sibande District. Ndinisa says she is young and bright and needs to learn one or two things about particular financial issues.
“This is an investment on our side.”
Morajane is to be replaced by Ms Linda Dlamini. In eMalahleni (Witbank) Ms Salome Sithole is to be replaced by Ms Lindiwe Mabona Ntshalintshali. The special council meeting was expected to take place on Thursday afternoon.
In JS Moroka Ms Tiny Mthimunye is to be replaced by Ms Rhoda Mathabe. Ndinisa said all the mayors had resigned as instructed. He added that both Sithole and Mthimunye were to be redeployed according to their merit.
“This year will not end without them getting new jobs.”
He told the press on Tuesday that this was only the beginning of the ruling party “addressing their weaknesses” and dealing with the political leadership was the first step. Next up is administrative issues and municipal managers who have received disclaimers or poor audit findings.
Most municipalities can also look forward to a restructuring of the mayoral committees and the speakers and whips as the party lays the foundation for the 2016 local government elections, Ndinisa concluded.
