The alleged letter of Maoke’s resignation surfaced on Wednesday, 18 December 2019, and made rounds on social media platforms. Maoke allegedly addresses the council speaker, Krog Mokuane, by indicating that she is resigning with immediate effect but does not state the reasons for her prompt decision to excuse herself as mayor. The municipality, however, could not confirm nor deny the authenticity of the letter in question.

It is alleged that Maoke's prompt resignation comes after making headlines following allegations of a fraudulent South African Identity Document (ID) and an investigation by Home Affairs into allegations that she might be an illegal immigrant from Lesotho. The Municipal Manager (MM), Tshepiso Ramakarane, previously told OFM News that he was aware of issues regarding Maoke’s citizenship but argued that it was not within their mandate, as the municipality, to object or even comment.

OFM News previously reported that the EFF in the municipality opened a case against Maoke and further demanded that she pay back the money she received since being the mayor. EFF Provincial Secretary, Shadrack Diko, told OFM News that during a council meeting earlier this month, to address issues around Maoke, members of the ruling ANC refused to discuss the matter, stating that it is being handled by the court.

Ramarakane, earlier confirmed and said that he was aware of issues regarding Maoke’s citizenship but argued that it was not within their mandate, as the municipality, to object or even comment. The spokesperson of the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Zolile Lobe, said the investigation into Maoke’s citizenship followed after complaints were raised about her identity documents.

OFM News