The Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Thembeni Nxangisa, addressed and observed the council sitting to bring stability. He was looking in disbelief as the councillors verbally accused and attacked one another during the sitting to elect an Acting MM and
managers. The sitting held on October 21, was prolonged as certain names could not be agreed on.
The Executive Mayor, Councillor Lindiwe Tshongwe, said it is not a matter of electing any person to fill up the gap. “We want to get the cream of
the crop; an official who will be able to take this municipality forward.”
Cllr Tshongwe sincerely apologises to the community for the sluggish nondelivery of basic services they are experiencing. “The past weeks have
been very difficult and trying times for the municipality as we find our state of affairs in disarray.”
Cllr Tshongwe further apologises for the failure of council sittings to appoint the Acting Municipal Manager and Senior Managers for purposes of
administrative decisions.
These challenges had a ripple effect on the day-to-day running of the municipality and subsequently had a negative impact on the services that had
to be delivered to the community. Cllr Tshongwe said the prevailing challenges have been addressed and visible changes to service delivery will be seen. The elected officials will have to temporarily keep the flame alive for three months. They are, Sello Mokae (MM), Maria Ramuvha (Technical services), Makate Ranotse (Social services), Clive Scheepers (CFO), Tshidi Mkhafu (LED) and Azael Moholi (Corporative).