This is according to the MEC for Cooperative Governance (Cogta), Thembeni Nxangisa. He says they have learned that there is tension between the administrators and municipal officials. He says the tension is due to a power struggle. The metro is under administration for failure to provide basic services, amongst others. Nxangisa says they will be meeting with the two parties to address this power struggle.

"We must immediately nip it (because) it's not about anybody but the community out there. So we will be sending that message strongly. We will be meeting them and take drastic action," he adds.

The administration team was introduced to the metro after it was placed under administration recently. Nxangisa, however, indicates that the process of getting the ailing metro onto the right track is yielding positive results. OFM News previously reported that the DA’s Dirk Kotze demanded that the municipality remove the City Manager Tankiso Mea from office. The report further indicated that Kotze justified his claims by referring to the Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu’s report on municipalities as a clear indication of how the municipality remains in financial ruin despite, being placed under provincial care.

Meanwhile, former Mayor, Olly Mlamleli, was voted out by opposition parties on 7 August 2020 after councillors cast their votes by means of a secret ballot, following a vote of no confidence.

Mlamleli was previously blamed for strings of challenges the troubled municipality had been experiencing under her leadership.

DA Councilor Mokgadi Kganakga told OFM News that the financial crisis went from bad to worse since the appointment of Mlamleli, with the total debt to various service providers increasing to R6.5 billion.

OFM News