The ANC has taken an unprecedented step by sacking seven mayors, chief whips and speakers from the worst-performing municipalities in the Free State.
The party decided to remove the Troikas due to the failed service delivery.
The councilors of Mafube, Moqhaka, Letsemeng, Nketoana, Nala, Masilonyana and Lejweleputswa were shown the door after failing to implement projects that benefit residents and businesses in these municipalities.
The core of the crisis is that all these municipalities together serve more than 1 million people, but have been classified as dysfunctional by the Auditor General for several years. However, the equally poorly performing municipalities of Maluti-A-Phofung and Ngwathe narrowly escaped the ax.
Last week, Sunday World visited Maluti-A-Phofung, where road conditions are an eyesore.
Maintenance work on the road from Phuthaditjhaba to Bolata has been at a standstill for months. Piles of rocks were placed on the road and motorists were forced to turn one lane into two to navigate potholes.
The Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality headquarters in Phuthaditjhaba did not have even a drop of water coming out of the taps. Residents have not been provided with water for years.
The municipality is facing an electricity crisis, causing residents to experience unpredictable power outages.
A resident of the area, Mothusi Mofokeng, said the community depends on rain and rivers for its water supply.
“We are struggling and nothing has been done here to improve our lives.
“The ANC had ruined the legacy of the late Prime Minister of Qwaqwa, Dr TK Mopeli. It is a complete mess to say the least,” Mofokeng said.
Masentle Mokoena also stated that motorists have to buy tires week in and week out due to bad roads.
“Every day we drive over potholes and because of these terrible roads we are forced to buy tires non-stop.
“The ANC has not worked for us even though we voted for it. If you want to know, we are on our own,” Mokoena said.
Mandla Mngomezulu also pointed out that their appliances have been damaged by the electricity outage, saying nothing works anymore.
ANC provincial spokesperson Thabo Meeko said the party has decided to take a no-nonsense stance against underperforming councilors.
“The ANC Free State decided to intervene in several municipalities through the reconfiguration of troikas.
“It went on to instruct Prime Minister Maqueen [Letsoha-Mathae] Chief among these were failure to submit annual accounts and unimproved audit results.
“On the removal of mayors, the ANC has passed a resolution that all provinces require the concurrence of the national leadership before any decision can be made. The internal ANC process is unfolding. The main meeting emphasized our commitment to act decisively against corruption, non-service delivery and all abuses. This is an ongoing work to restore local governance,” Meeko said.
When asked about Maluti-A-Phofung’s inability to repair the roads, Meeko referred Sunday World to the municipality.
However, Maluti-A-Phofung Mayor Malekula Melato placed the blame squarely on the provincial government.
“Those roads do not belong to Maluti-A-Phofung, but they do belong to the province. Please contact the municipal spokesperson,” said Melato.
The bold move will be seen as a desperate attempt by the former liberation movement to gain votes ahead of next year’s local government elections.
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Bongani Mdakane
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