Palesa Malebo
SASOLBURG – The South African Communist Party (SACP) led coalition government in the Metsimaholo Local Municipality is on the verge of collapse as junior coalition partners want to eject SACP Mayor Lindiwe Tshongwe from her mayoral position.
The coalition comprises the SACP, ANC, MCA, F4SD and AIC.
Civic organisations Metsimaholo Concerned Residents (MCA) and Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) along with the African Independent Congress (AIC) filed a motion of no confidence against Tshongwe on Tuesday, August 21 under the following allegations:
* The Mayor has no control over her mayoral committee.
* She fails to hold her executive committee to account
* Dismal failure of the mayoral committee to hold their portfolio meetings as scheduled and adopted by the municipal council.
* Failure of the MAYCO members to submit and present their respective reports to council.
* Failure of the Executive Mayor to exercise and execute her statutory powers.
* Inconsistency on the implementation of council resolutions.
* No political direction from the Mayor on the fundamental principles of the strategic
objectives of the municipality.
The motion was instigated by MCA Chief Whip Victor Nyembe and Seconded by Councillors Dineo Nyaku (F4SD), Jack Malindi (AIC) and Portia Mahlaela.
Commenting on the filed motion of no coincidence against Tshongwe, SACP Free State Spokesperson Philip Kganyago said: “The issues they are raising are not substantive issues and the SACP door is always open for comrades to raise their issues. We feel it is important to work together to save the coalition in order to deliver services to the people and fight corruption and all other things hampering the municipality to do well.”
The Democratic Alliance Free State Provincial leader Patricia Kopane says the DA will support the motion if it will contribute to better service delivery.
“If there’s anything that stands in the way of the people to benefit from better service delivery the DA will always support such a motion. Metsimaholo is on the verge of collapse. There’s no service delivery and the administration is not working. So the DA will definitely support such a motion,” she added.
F4SD Leader Mbahare Kekana said they want the motion to be executed through a secret ballot. “This will allow councillors to express themselves freely without fear of being victimised,” he said.
READ A FOLLOW-UP REPORT IN VAALWEEKBLAD’S EDITION OF 12 SEPTEMBER 2018
