This after months of political turmoil and leadership battles in the ailing municipality. In the wake of direct intervention by national government aimed at addressing the municipality’s persistent failures, including financial mismanagement and the breakdown of basic service delivery, a council meeting was convened on Tuesday (23/9).

The re-election of Morutse follows a decisive visit earlier this month by the national department of cooperative governance, during which the dysfunctional council was ordered to elect a new mayor and speaker within 14 days. This intervention was part of a broader effort to resolve the ongoing leadership crisis that saw rival factions within the council attempting to run parallel administrations.

Kopung Ralikontsane, the appointed representative from the national cabinet at Ditsobotla, said the special council sitting was convened to implement directives from national government aimed at ending the political deadlock.

“We’ve called this meeting to ensure that we demobilise the two mayors and demobilise the two speakers. Council was able to support us to ensure that we finalise that process,” said Ralikontsane. “The meeting was then led by the speaker (Manana Bogatsu), who presided over the designation of members of the executive committee, and among members of the executive committee, we elected the mayor.

“We are grateful that there has been great cooperation. We feel that having a stable council will help us look forward and work on providing sustainable services to our people here in Ditsobotla.”

Bogatsu of the EFF was re-elected as the municipal speaker, reinstating her to a role she previously held before the council’s instability took hold.

Ditsobotla has been at the centre of national concern after reports of infighting, administrative paralysis, and worsening service delivery drew the attention of both provincial and national leaders. Multiple factions within the council had declared competing mayors and speakers, effectively bringing governance to a standstill.

North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi welcomed the newly reconstituted leadership, describing the council sitting as “robust”. He expressed the hope that the appointments would usher in a new era of functionality. Mokgosi added he hopes that the councillors of Ditsobotla will now focus on delivering services to the people.

Minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs  Velenkosini Hlabisa also welcomed the election of new leadership in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cvs