The sitting, that was set to oust the Executive Mayor Lindiwe Tshongwe after the Democratic Alliance (DA), filed a motion of no confidence, was cancelled at the eleventh hour.

According to the caucus leader of the party, Thabiso Mofokeng, poor motivation was given for the cancellation - with councillors being told the mayor did not receive the motion from the municipal manager, as required by the Standing Rules and Orders of the council.

He says this further goes to show the mayor’s incompetence and lack of transparency in leading the municipality.

OFM News previously reported that the motion came less than two years after Tshongwe faced another motion of no confidence - with opposition parties in the council stating that she fails to play her role as the political head nor execute her duties over the mayoral committee.

The coalition-led municipality has for years made news over its political instability with political parties’ infights, its financial woes and failure to deliver services.

The municipality, which serves the communities of Sasolburg and Deneysville, amongst others, has for years also drawn much controversy over poor audit outcomes with the Auditor-General, listing it amongst Free State municipalities, urgently needing intervention.

Tshongwe, who is a member of the South Africa Communist Party (SACP), faces another motion of no confidence after being accused of bringing the municipality into disarray.

Mofokeng maintains Tshongwe has failed to carry out any of her responsibilities at the political head of the municipality, hence a motion of no confidence against her remains essential.

“The coalition in Metsimaholo is officially over; it has been for some time now, this is a desperate attempt to remain in power, where the Speaker’s bias is exposed for all to see. The infighting is bringing this municipality to its knees. We have exhausted our options in trying to hold those in power to account; it is now up to the community in the upcoming local government elections, scheduled to take place later this year,” said Mofokeng.

OFM News