Mogalakwena's new Mayor

MOKOPANE - The African National congress (ANC) replaced Tlhalefi Mashamaite as the Mayor of the Mogalakwena Municipality in Mokopane with Malesela Phineas Sebatjane, the former municipal manager of the Waterberg District Municipality and the Lephalale Municipality.
After months of political instability and ongoing controversy at the Mogalakwena Municipality, many residents who openly opposed Mashamaite gave a sigh of relief when the ANC recalled him  earlier this month.
However, the announcement that newly appointed Sebatjane would replace Mashamaite as Mayor has already been met with resistance.
The Mogalakwena Residents Association (MRA) rejected Sebatjane’s appointment and insists that William Mabuela should to be reinstated as Mogalakwena’s Mayor.
Mabuela was elected by the Council in April last year.
“Mabuela is after all the people’s choice and the ANC must recognise and respect our voice. We also want Willy Kekana to be reinstated as our municipal manager,” said the MRA’s spokesperson Oscar Ratombo.
The Provincial Secretary of the ANC, Nocks Seabi said the decision to deploy Sebatjane, took into consideration his leadership capabilities in the local government sphere. “Sebatjane is no newcomer in local governance.“He is a member of the ANC Waterberg regional executive committee, and he has served in the REC at various times,” concluded Seabi.
Sebatjane undertook to review the problems and to take active steps to bring back full functionality at the municipality. “There is no doubt that the work ahead is challenging. Mogalakwena has been through rough seas this past year. Together we aim to turn the municipality’s current status around," he said.
"I am confident that, as a team, we will improve the lives of all in Mogalakwena by focusing on improving the quality of basic services. I, as the Mayor, undertake to serve the people of Mogalakwena with commitment,” said Sebatjane at the Lekalakala Council Chambers after his inauguration on Wednesday.