The pressure group Mangaung Concerned Communities (MCC), previously made headlines when it brought Mangaung to a standstill for more than three days during protests in June 2021. The group 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. The claims follow allegations that individuals were employed without positions being formally advertised.

However, in a statement, the struggling metro dismissed the claims, saying they are unfounded and part of a broader attempt to mislead residents. “Let it be stated unequivocally that the allegations advanced by MCC are baseless, unverified, and politically reckless. 

"They rely on claims that have already been disproven, and on an alleged conversation that the very official cited in the statement Dr Thabang Thinda has categorically denied ever taking place. This alone collapses and exposes the fundamental weakness of MCC’s narrative.”

The municipality also raised concern about the MCC’s attempt to mobilise residents to descend on the Bram Fischer Building. Such actions could create unnecessary tension in the city, it warned. “The attempt by MCC to mobilise unemployed residents to descend upon the Bram Fischer Building is said to be under false pretext that employment opportunities are being manipulated or secretly allocated.”

'This conduct goes beyond legitimate community activism'

This conduct goes beyond legitimate community activism, the metro said, emphasising such actions amount to political opportunism that risks creating false hope among desperate job seekers while at the same time attempting to destabilise municipal operations.

The municipality added employment programmes within the metro, including the expanded public works programme (EPWP), which are governed by strict regulatory frameworks and transparent processes. According to the metro, these programmes follow established administrative procedures to ensure fairness and accountability in the recruitment of participants.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm