Kedibone Sekhwela writes:
On August 17 I wrote an open letter to Letaba Herald to congratulate Maripe Magena as the new Mayor of Tzaneen Municipality and to warn him about the responsibility that comes with that position.

Just less than a month after my letter I was so disappointed to read that the very same Mayor has bought himself the luxury SUV with the amount of R1.2 Million.

In a poverty stricken Municipality like Tzaneen, buying the car of such amount is to spit in the face of the poor.

Below it is the copy of the letter:

“The 17th August 2016 was an historic moment in many ways as we witnessed the democratic process where the ruling party was ousted by opposition parties in key metros like Tshwane, Nelson Mandela Bay and possibly Johannesburg.

In Tzaneen the history was also made when Maripe Mangena was inaugurated as the Mayor of Greater Tzaneen Municipality.

As a resident of Tzaneen and Ward 27 where Councillor Maripe Mangena served my village of Makhwibidung-Shiluvane for the past 10 years as a Councillor I want to wish him well in his new massive responsibility.

I know Mayor Maripe in person and Iknow him as a humble and passionate South African, who is passionate about service delivery in our rural communities.

I have seen his political career grow, from being the Chairperson of his Branch Arrone Mhlanga, being elected as a Chairperson of the Sub Region and also the Chief Whip of the ruling party in Tzaneed Municipality.

I also want to take this opportunity to appeal to the new Mayor not to forget where he comes from.

I heard so many opportunists around Mogapeng where he comes from saying, they are now going to be rich from municipal tenders and some saying they now are going to get employment because Maripe Mangena is now going to be the number one citizen of Tzaneen.

Such expectations are an indication that there are people out there who are going to use your name for personal gain, there are also business people who are going to try to capture you so that they can control your Mayor ship.

People of Tzaneen have entrusted you and your team to provide the people of Tzaneen with good road infrastructure, Water, Sanitation and Houses.

If you forget your mandate by serving the interest of the elite and few, just know history will judge you harshly and what happened in Thabazimbi and Modimolle will happen in Tzaneen.

Good luck!

Also read:

Mayoral R1.2mil car attached and returned