Ramasimong Tau was elected during a special council meeting held on Thursday (7/5), replacing former mayor Motloheloa Ellis Mokatsane, who stepped down in April. During the same sitting, Nthabiseng Magengenene was unanimously elected as the new speaker of the troubled municipality.

Moqhaka is among the municipalities in the Free State facing severe service delivery challenges. The municipality has been battling persistent water shortages, poor refuse removal services and deteriorating road infrastructure. 

Mokatsane was among several mayors reportedly instructed by the ANC provincial leadership to step down amid growing concerns over governance and service delivery failures.

Addressing councillors after his election, Tau acknowledged the poor state of services and committed himself to urgently addressing the municipality’s challenges. 

“Water shortages continue to affect our communities. Water is life, and no resident of Moqhaka should suffer from a lack of reliable access to clean water. We will prioritise urgent intervention in our water infrastructure, including pump stations, pipelines, reservoirs and sanitation systems. We will work closely with provincial and national governments to restore dignity through proper water and sanitation channels.” said Tau.

The newly elected mayor also committed to strengthening revenue collection, curbing wasteful expenditure and intensifying the fight against corruption within the municipality.

Tau further pledged to prioritise economic development by supporting small businesses, strengthening Expanded Public Works Programme initiatives, promoting skills development and encouraging partnerships with investors and the private sector.

He also stressed the importance of filling vacant senior management positions to stabilise the municipality’s administration and ensure decisive action against corruption.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg

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