The outgoing mayor, who is also a member of the Patriotic Alliance in Ditsobotla, Elizabeth Lethoko, tendered her resignation in writing to the speaker, Fikile Alfred Jakeni, following the appointment of the administrator as the new municipal manager. Lethoko expressed her unhappiness after the appointment of the municipal manager was tabled after the council had concluded all items that were on the agenda for the day. 

ANC provincial spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping, says the resignation is unfortunate as it is based on misunderstandings of the rules of procedures of the council and to a larger extent possible ulterior motives that the organisation may not have been privy to.

ALSO READ: Ditsobotla mayor resigns hours after election

“The ANC strongly believes this could have been avoided as the people of Ditsobotla urgently yearn for a stable council which will deliver basic services, including cementing a sense of political tolerance amongst all parties represented in Council. The objection to the announcement of an administrator was misplaced and unwarranted. It is unfortunate how at a later stage, the Patriotic Alliance misrepresented facts on various media platforms on this matter,” he adds.

According to Maruping, the coalition agreements entered into with other political parties at a national level are based on principles of good governance and Ditsobotla will not become a pilot case where such principles could be trampled on, based on the emotions of a particular leader. He has since called on all elected councillors not to lose sight of their task to ensure that quality service delivery is achieved, including stability in governance.

“The task ahead is not easy and will require decisive, disciplined, and dedicated councillors to redirect all efforts to service delivery,” concludes Maruping.

OFM News