The current Acting Head of Public Works and Infrastructure, Ernest Mohlalo, resigned from the CFO position at the municipality around April 2018, leaving the municipality struggling to find a suitable permanent replacement for over a year following his resignation.

In August, shortly after the credit rating’s agency Moody’s downgraded the metro’s rating from Ba3 to B3, OFM News’ Pulane Choane reported Sabata Mofokeng had been appointed as the municipality’s CFO.

At the time of his resignation, Mangaung spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, said the municipality was taken aback by Mohlalo’s decision, contrary to murmurs on the ground that he had literally been pressured to resign.

Mohlalo joins Mzwakhe Mofokeng from the office of the Premier, who will be leading the team, as well as Chartered Accountant (CA) Masechaba Sesing, and an official from the Provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) department, Dineo Mokheseng.

Mangaung, which includes Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, Soutpan, Dewetsdorp, and Wepener, was placed under provincial care in December 2019, following Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo’s call for Premier Sisi Ntombela’s intervention. The announcement comes mere days after the Democratic Alliance in the province criticised the provincial government for not acting swiftly in assisting Mangaung in a media briefing.

Party caucus leader, Hardie Viviers, targeted Cogta MEC, Thembeni Nxangisa in particular, accusing him of failing to bring stability to the metro, even after credit rating agency Moody’s downgraded the metro in August 2019.

The municipality has also been fending off threats to cut supply and a court challenge over its debts to Bloem Water and to Eskom.

OFM News