The Mangaung Concerned Community (MCC) claims the alleged appointments relate to about a thousand workers of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

The group, which brought Mangaung to a standstill for more than three days during protests in June 2021, said it had made several demands, including the resignation of mayor Gregory Nthatisi and community and social services MMC Nthabiseng Jonas.

MCC chairperson Themba Zweni alleged Nthatisi and Jonas had violated the code of conduct for councillors, which prohibits councillors from interfering in municipal administration.

“MMC discovered a scandal … that Mangaung was about to employ a thousand EPWP workers,” said Zweni. They were “drawn from a list, which, according to the HOD for community and social services, Dr Thaba Thinda, came from (the) mayor … and community and social services MMC.

“These employees are now waiting for PPE, and they are supposed to start very soon. We therefore call for the executive mayor to resign by Monday.”

The group warned if its call is not heeded, community members would march to the metro headquarters to seek answers from Nthatisi. Thinda confirmed city manager Sello More was unaware of the instruction, added Zweni.

’We therefore call for the executive mayor to resign by Monday’

“There have been allegations of political interference in (the) administration against (the) mayor, and this is proof that, indeed, the executive mayor is interfering in administration thus our view that the mayor and councillor Jonas have breached the code, as clause 12 clearly stipulates that ‘a councillor may not, except as provided by law:

“(a) interfere in the management or administration of any department of the municipal council, unless mandated by the council; (b) give or purport to give any instruction to any employee of the council, unless when authorised to do so;(d) encourage or participate in any conduct which would cause or contribute to maladministration in council,’” said Zweni.

The MCC also called on the provincial ANC leadership to remove Nthatisi and Jonas from office before Monday (9/3).

The group said incidents of this nature had previously contributed to the 2021 Mangaung shutdown protests, which resulted in widespread disruption and the loss of a young life.

OFM News has sent an inquiry to the office of the mayor.

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OFM News/ Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm