The ANC in Lejweleputswa has expressed concern over the alleged continued resistance by certain provincial officials to finalise the reconfiguration process in Nala, Masilonyana, and the Lejweleputswa district municipality. OFM News reported the ANC in the Free State is continuing with sweeping leadership changes in struggling municipalities after resistance from some mayors and senior local leaders. 

Municipalities such as Mfube and Moqhaka have already appointed new leadership after mayors and speakers submitted resignation letters to provincial leadership as instructed.

Lejweleputswa ANC regional chairperson Xolile Toki raised concern about the conduct of the Masilonyana troika, including mayor Dimakatso Modise, saying their refusal to comply with organisational directives has escalated into open defiance of the ANC’s regional executive committee (REC).

“Despite extensive engagements and political guidance aimed at ensuring an orderly, disciplined transition in line with (the) reconfiguration process, the troika has allegedly indicated that they will not vacate office until certain arrangements and undertakings made between themselves and some provincial officials are implemented.”

The stance undermines the integrity of processes and weakens discipline, he added. “The posture undermines the integrity of the organisational process, weakens internal discipline, and creates a perception that decisions of the ANC can be negotiated outside of the constitutional structures and collective.”

There were attempts to redeploy members of the Masilonyana troika into positions at Lejweleputswa despite ongoing instability in municipalities across the region, Toki alleged.

“The organisation is disturbed by allegations that these engagements involve attempts to recycle members of Masilonyana troika into positions within Lejweleputswa district municipality, despite political and administrative instability already confronting municipalities within the region.”

Such moves could worsen governance failures and damage public confidence in the ANC, he warned.

Modise, who is no stranger to controversy, allegedly submitted her resignation letter on Wednesday, 6 May, following sustained pressure from ANC provincial leadership. However, she remains at the helm of the struggling Masilonyana municipality.

In a letter from ANC provincial secretary Polediso Motsoeneng, Modise was requested to submit the same resignation letter she had handed over to the Masilonyana municipal manager in her capacity as both councillor and mayor.

Last week, Modise appeared before parliament’s standing committee on public accounts to account for the continued failures at Masilonyana under her administration. She alleged that political attempts were made to stop her from appearing before MPs.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm

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