Former Parys Mayor lay charges against Ngwathe
In a letter Ramokhoase, who is also chairperson of the ANC's Veterans League in Parys, highlighted several concerns "out of serious frustration as an affected member of the community
As an affected member of the community, a former Parys mayor, Mr Jonas Ramokhoase, supported by members of the ANC Veterans League and ministers, on Friday 24 November laid charges against the Ngwathe Local Municipality at the Parys SAPS.
In a letter Ramokhoase, who is also chairperson of the ANC’s Veteran League in Parys, highlighted several concerns “out of serious frustration as an affected member of the community”, saying he has noted with disappointment the absence of top management including a municipal manager and chief financial officer in Ngwathe. He says this deepens the crisis of basic service delivery and poor leadership management by weak middle management.
The letter refers to the ‘drastic deterioration in basic service delivery, especially concerning electricity and water supply since the inception of the newly-elected council in November 2021’. It also refers to concern about the poor supply of drinkable water in older residential areas that previously had water.
Ramokhoase, was a former executive mayor of the Fezile Dabi District, former chairperson of Salga Free State, former regional chairperson of the ANC in the Fezile Dabi District, a former member of the Provincial Legislature in the Free State and a former Member of Parliament in the National Assembly
In his letter he says there had been no community ward meetings for the past six months, except those following his intervention in June 2022, informing residents about challenges after his invention. Ramokhoase says he advised the mayor and chief whip on public participation in January 2022, as required by the Local Government Systems and Structures Act and ANC resolutions, “The document cited numerous measures and steps to curb and address some of the impediments of basic service delivery that needed urgent attention.”
Ramokhoase says the document was followed up with two others, again stressing the importance and knowledge of local government legislation to respond to challenges.
“All the efforts fell on deaf ears,” he says.
Other concerns stated in the letter include:
* “The dysfunctional Tumahole municipal office”
* “Irresponsible long suspension of employees with full pay without disciplinary procedures implemented.”
* “Irrelevant and misplacement of employees without the required expertise, for example, at the water treatment works”.
He also asks questions about whether the mayor had attended to the community memorandum received after a peaceful march by residents and Sanco members a month ago.
Based on the concerns, “displaying a high level of negative attitude”, he demands urgent intervention within 14 days.
An immediate stop to municipal load shedding besides the national Eskom outages, is also demanded.
Ramokhoase said the ANC Veterans League and ministers supported him in opening the case of corruption against Ngwathe after consultation in meetings.
