Mayors in political tug of war

The Mogalakwena Municipality seems to have changed into a political warzone as two mayors continue with a “tug of war” to convince authorities who should rightfully hold the title of Mogalakwena mayor.
 In a press release, the Mogalakwena Municipality expressed its dismay after the department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) MEC, Makoma Makhurupetje, announced the election of councillor Tlhalefi Mashamaite as the mayor on a local radio station.
This causes huge confusion as councillor William Malose Mabuela claims he is the rightful mayor and insists that the council meeting held at Oasis Lodge on 6 November and where Mashamaite’s election took place, lacks merit.
In the press release, the divisional head of communications, Malesela Selokela, further explains that a KPMG report earlier this year proved fraud and corruption which resulted in the expulsion of Mashamaite and other councillors. Selekola added that a case against Coghsta’s MEC for misinforming the community on radio will be heard in court on 18 November.
Another case against the IEC for declaring vacancies without the municipal manager William Kekana’s knowledge is also scheduled for the above date.
Democratic Alliance member of parlement, Jacques Smalle, will approach the High Court to hold the MEC and the police in contempt of court for ignoring earlier court orders prohibiting them from intervention in terms of section 139 and assuming any executive authority over the municipality.
Northern News has decided to dig deeper as confusion still seem to rule.
A full report on our findings will follow soon.
For the time being, the municipality is delivering on local services and is open to the public.