MOKOPANE – MOKOPANE will soon have a new mayor as Tlhalefi Mashamaite is packing his bags as mayor of the Mogalakwena Municipality.
Inside the municipality, a lengthy and ongoing battle has been seen between two ANC factions over the mayoral seat. Following political infighting and protracted court battles, the ANC decided on Monday evening to recall Mashamaite as mayor.
Last year William Mabuela, was appointed as mayor following the suspension of Mashamaite and several councillors after a forensic audit report. In November the police forcefully removed Mabuela and his councillors as Mashamaite claimed he is still the mayor.
Tolly Mashamaite, ANC regional secretary of the Waterberg district, confirmed that Mashamaite was on his way and had made it clear that he was not in the wrong.
This decision is to strengthen the municipality after facing a lot of challenges, one of the challenges the service delivery that came to a halt for a few weeks as a result of the battle.
Mashamaite has been deployed and told Bosveld on Tuesday morning that he is not yet sure where he will start a new chapter. “I am very happy about the ANC’s decision as they are my organisation.”
When Bosveld asked if William Mabuela was one of the potential mayoral candidates, Mashamaite reiterated that Mogalakwena Municipality is run by the ANC and that Mabuela was “not part of this party”.
Nocks Seabi, provincial secretary of the ANC, stated that Mashamaite will stay on as a councillor of the Mogalakwena Municipality. A new mayor will be appointed within two weeks.
The DA said in a media release the party believes that the ANC’s recalling of Mashamaite is an acknowledgement that he is an “illegitimate mayor”.
“The recall is nothing but cheap political means to comfort the people of Mogalakwena, as the ANC backtracks on its mistake. There is no rational reason why the ANC allowed Mashamaite to return to the mayoral office, after being constitutionally removed by a council resolution.”
“The fact is that Mashamaite raided the finances of Mogalakwena, cost the municipality service delivery money, and has been found liable.
“He was grossly unfit to serve as mayor, and the ANC has finally admitted this.
“All squandered monies must now urgently be recovered from Mashamaite.
“Should processes not be implemented against Mashamaite, the DA will lay criminal charges against the municipal officials who protect him.”
