ANC IRC’s Ncamile Nxangisa told OFM News the IRC does not have the power to take such decisions, they can however make recommendations to the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC). 

The IPC’s spokesperson, Oupa Khoabane, explained he has no knowledge of such a decision. Nxangisa’s latest statement is despite the IRC’s previous statement of suspending the metro’s speaker, Stefani Lockman. Nxangisa explained that they can only take a councillor to a disciplinary hearing, which he explained is part of a rehabilitation process. “It does not mean that people will be taken out of the council generally.”

Also read: FS ANC's IPC on suspension of Mangaung speaker

Allegations that ten councillors will be ousted - including speaker Lockman and deputy mayor Mapaseka Mothibi-Nkoane - comes after allegations that some of the ruling party’s councillors voted with the opposition. This comes on the heels of the removal of the acting City Manager, Sello More, which was explained to have happened in an unusual manner. A leaked message, alleged to be from the ANC, instructed ANC councillors not to attend the sitting that saw More’s removal. Some of the councillors did, however, attend it.

Also Read:  More no more

The metro, which is now under national government’s control, has had three different acting city managers since More’s removal, with the latest being Tebogo Motlashuping. The municipality recently found itself under the spotlight for payment delays of employees, again. Motlashuping, however, has given assurance that the matter will be investigated and those responsible will find themselves in hot water.

Also read:  Payment delays at metro to be investigated

The council in question has recently survived the intervention by the National Government, after the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, led an engagement. The council of the first metro to be placed under administration was recently stripped of their powers, and they feared they might also be dissolved, however, they still remain at the helm.

Also read: Mangaung council remains at the helm

OFM News/Corn Koteli