The DA and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) say they believe that the ANC cader deployment is to blame for the troubles besieging the metro. The DA’s Hardie Viviers says Mea’s suspension by the council was [to protect] witnesses from any intimidation or interference with the investigation into his alleged misconduct and maladministration. The FF Plus’ Elizabeth Snyman Van Deventer, says the council’s decision can only be overturned by either another council decision or by a court. On Thursday, the Free State High Court Judge, Nokuthula Daniso, heard that the Metro and Mea reached a settlement out of court that reversed his suspension and replaced it with voluntary leave.  

Mea launched an urgent application in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein, challenging his suspension, but an agreement to reverse it was reached outside of court even before proceedings started.

After this agreement, Mea withdrew his urgent application.

According to the agreement, Mea can now submit reasons in writing why he should not be suspended. Should he make these submissions, the council has ten days to decide about it. If the council has not decided about his suspension by the time Mea returns from leave, he will return to his position of municipal manager.

On Friday last week, 62 council members, including ANC, DA, and EFF members, voted for his suspension, 29 against it, whilst the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) failed to cast votes due to network issues.

Viviers says the same path was followed with former officials. ”Why the suspended MM should now receive special treatment, is  astonishing,” he adds.

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