EEF mayoral candidate in the Free State metro, SAM Matiase made the remarks during an SABC debate featuring candidates contesting the Mangaung mayoral position, where he took aim at political opponents with previous leadership roles in the municipality. He accused the ANC of contributing to the metro’s decline and singled out MK Party mayoral candidate Mapaseka Mothibi, who previously served as Mangaung speaker and deputy mayor while she was an ANC member.

“Some of them must take responsibility for the destruction of the municipality. The culture of impunity, the culture of self enrichment, the culture of ‘I don’t care’, the culture that the ANC has inherent right to govern until Jesus come. It is a culture which was cultivated during their term as councillors of the ANC.”

Matiase also took aim at AASD leader Papi Mokoena, who previously served as Mangaung mayor between 2000 and 2005 as an ANC member. He said the EFF would focus on tackling corruption and strengthening the metro’s administration if elected.

“The EFF will ensure it does away with corruption, will ensure that the money of the public, tax payers money, is used for the benefit of the people and ensure that we build solid institutional administrative stability in the municipality. Ensure that those who are in office in positions of responsibility are fit for purpose.”

Mokoena defended his record during his time as mayor, arguing the metro had developed strategies aimed at improving municipal planning and service delivery. He said the administration had implemented ward-based planning to ensure the priorities contained in the Integrated Development Plan were implemented.

He also argued  Matiase, who was an official at the time, would have been aware of the awards received by the metro during his tenure. He said Mangaung received three PMR gold awards for being the best-run municipality in the Free State, including two awards for being the cleanest city and another for being the best municipality.

Mokoena also pointed to an award recognising the most inspirational mayor in the province, which he said was received for two consecutive years.

Mothibi, meanwhile, acknowledged she had previously served in the ANC but said she had been constrained while operating within the ruling party. She argued being part of the ANC made it difficult for an individual to address problems within the organisation.

“Yes, I was confined, that is why today I’m saying as I go back, I’m going to correct all wrongs which were done.”

Mothibi is among eight former ANC councillors who were expelled from the party in 2023. The ANC had accused the councillors of defying party directives and voting with opposition parties during council proceedings.

The party alleged that the group voted in favour of Maryke Davies becoming speaker despite the ANC holding 51 of the council’s 101 seats. The councillors were also accused of defying an ANC caucus instruction on an item that the party wanted referred back for further discussion. They were subsequently accused of voting against two budgets tabled by former Mangaung mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana.

Mangaung Speaker and ANC regional chairperson Lawrence Mathae defended the current administration, arguing that there had been improvements and greater stability in the metro.

Mathae also criticised the conduct of the expelled councillors, saying Mothibi was eventually removed from the ANC after allegedly working with opposition parties to challenge the functioning of council.

“The intervention team could not do anything, could not present their reports. Every time they had to present the reports they were met with anger and resentment from DA, from EFF as well as from same councillors seated here.”

The debate comes ahead of the 4 November local government elections, with parties and independent candidates competing to control Mangaung. The metro currently has a 101-seat council, with the ANC holding 51 seats, the DA 26, the EFF twelve and the FF Plus five, while the remaining seats are held by smaller parties.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm

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