Mokete Duma, who is the Head of the Department (HOD) involved in the negotiations over various issues, says the MCC last week threatened to walk out of the negotiations and accused the government of not addressing their issues. Duma says, amongst other issues raised by the MMC, was to see the Mangaung Metro’s council disbanded. He explains, however, that it is not possible to dissolve the Metro owing to different reasons. Duma says the Metro, which has been placed under administration, has seen improvements in its endeavour to address challenges that troubled it before.

“We have demonstrated that it will not be ideal to dissolve the municipality under the circumstances because the financial recovery plan has actually achieved a number of areas and we are in the right direction and if these things are required, we will give them [a list]. We have given them a list of those things we have achieved through the intervention but in the main, they want the dissolution of the council, they can’t move on that one and if we don’t entertain the dissolution of the council, it’s pointless for them to participate,” he adds.  

OFM News previously reported that the MCC was forced to put its planned media briefing, meant to address rumours of a second shutdown on 1 July, on ice due to a low turnout of media for the briefing.

Indications are that plans are afoot to go ahead with the shutdown, in whatever form, come 1 July. The MCC earlier said in a statement that talks between the Free State Provincial Government, Mangaung Metro, and concerned residents in the area have all but broken down over the dissolution of the metro’s council, leaving them with no other alternative but to embark on mass action in all affected areas, namely Botshabelo, Thaba’ Nchu, Dewetsdorp, Wepener, Soutpan and the Free State capital.

The MCC alleges they have gone as far as engaging the newly convened Free State ANC’s Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) to attend to their grievances, to no avail.

Duma further adds that they think the withdrawal of the MCC in the negotiations and implementation level was premature. We know that they were frustrated by the lack of positiveness from the municipality’s side, lack of cooperation and responses and partly they blame the provincial government because it is within the right of the provincial government to dissolve the municipality,” Duma alludes.

OFM News