Ousted mayor of Lekwa hopes to be re-elected
Thabethe told the Standerton Advertiser that the motion to remove him was nothing but dirty politics because political parties are heading to the elections next year.
Ousted Lekwa mayor Louis Thabethe hopes to be re-elected by council to finish some projects he began and see them be successful.
Thabethe was voted out as a mayor of the Lekwa Municipality by the DA and the ANC last week. Thabethe told the Standerton Advertiser that the motion to remove him was nothing but dirty politics because political parties are heading to the elections next year.
“The DA marched to our offices with the pretence that they are for the people, whereas there are service delivery issues that continue to affect residents daily,” said Thabethe.
He said a lot still needs to happen because Lekwa faces water issues, which not only affect Lekwa but are a national crisis.
“Under my administration, we ensured that we collected refuse, fixed the landfill site, and sewage does not spill into the river anymore.”
Thabethe said the municipality has decided to fix the roads, but since his removal, it has been hung. There are no MMCs, no mayor or other key positions.
“Lekwa is suffering because of politics.”
According to Thabethe, he received a standing ovation for his speech at the last council meeting.
“Why would political parties give me a standing ovation one moment and later want to remove me as a mayor?” asked Thabethe.
The former mayor told Standerton Advertiser that he is still a councillor, and his mandate is to monitor the municipality’s decisions.
“I was about to finalise agreements with SANRAL and the Department of Transport and Public Works to fix the roads in Standerton, and plans are underway to build a shopping mall.
“Everything has been approved. We are only waiting for construction to begin. This will bring employment to the people of Standerton.”
In the meantime, the residents of Lekwa have petitioned for Thabethe’s return to office and accused the DA and the ANC of neglecting the municipality.
The petition further states that when Thabethe was mayor, the people of Lekwa saw improvements implemented.
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Through the petition, the residents stated that the people of Lekwa do not want the ANC or the DA in control of the municipality.
Seventeen councillors voted for the mayor’s removal, while 12 voted against the motion. Standerton Advertiser asked people in the CBD their opinion about Thabethe’s removal.
Mandla Mkhize said: “Now things are going to fall apart, Mayor Thabethe was making changes in this municipality, and everything will be a mess. They must bring him back, or else we will protest.”
Another disgruntled resident, Thembinkosi Tshabalala, said: “Some areas did not have water for 15 years, but with the tenure of Thabethe, water was restored.”
