Will the real Mogalakwena mayor please stand up?

Funeral proceedings of a prominent Mokopane businessman, Malesela Frans Maphoto, became the latest battle field in the Mogalakwena power struggle when former mayor, Thlalefi Mashemaite, allegedly threatned to hijack the pulpit and ‘speak’ if the family allowed current mayor, Malose Mabuela, to address funeral goers on Sunday.
According to a press statement by the Mogalakwena municipality, a group of people led by Victor Mokosi wanted Mashamaite to replace Mabuela on the programme.
Kate Maphoto, the widow apologised to guests and the delegation from the municipality. “As you can see on the programme that item 09 we had mayor Mabuela to give the message of support. I was approached by the programme director Mr Mpyatona who told me that there are people telling him that the Mogalakwena mayor is Tlhalefi Mashamaite not Mabuela.“I told Mpyatona that according to the latest development I know Mabuela is the mayor of Mogalakwena Municipality, they were here during the week and we didn’t see Mashamaite here. I told Mpyatona that the programme must continue as it is. He left and came back saying they told him that if Mabuela is given a platform then Mashamaite will also speak and no one will prevent him,” Mrs Maphoto esplained. She chose to have neither speak at the occasion.
“We are disappointed with this prulish behavior of some councillors and others who call themselves councilors,” Mabuela said after the proceedings.
This is the second time Mashemaite’s followers have undermined Mabuela as the elected mayor of the municipality. At a department of social development event on the 28 May Cllr Sam Montane instructed the programme director to remove Mabuela from the programme.