This follows the recent suspension of several mayors in the Free State, including Moqhaka mayor Toy Mokatsane, amid growing concerns over service delivery failures. OFM News reported the provincial executive committee (PEC) of the ANC in the Free State issued formal suspension letters to several mayors.

They include Mokatsane, Lejweleputswa District Mayor Veronica Ntakumbana, and Masilonyana Local Municipality’s Dimakatso Modise.

The move comes after the mayors reportedly defied internal ANC instructions to resign voluntarily, sparking internal tension within the ruling party.

Mayors were instructed to resign within 48 hours earlier this month. Still, several pushed back against the directive, writing directly to the office of ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula to contest the decision.

Moqhaka DA Councillor Chris Dalton welcomes Mokatsane’s suspension, describing it as long overdue. “This stems from allegations of weak leadership, which aligns with our long-standing concerns about the ANC’s perceived incompetence in local government. 

“The ANC’s cadre deployment has broken municipalities in the Free State. In Moqhaka, mayor Mokatsane’s failures show this clearly.”

Dalton outlines a range of problems facing the municipality, including financial instability and poor governance. 

“The municipality has faced numerous challenges, including ballooning Eskom debt that reaches over R1.7 billion, unfunded budgets, and financial misconduct, to name a few, as well as job vacancies and a general lack of political will to stabilise the municipality.”

He said the DA, along with other opposition parties, had submitted motions of no confidence against Mokatsane, citing his disrespectful conduct and failure to address municipal issues effectively.

Dalton also accuses Mokatsane of using racially offensive language when referring to residents.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg