/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Letsemeng Local Municipality is concerned by the mayor's inability to hold the ANC speaker, Xolani Mthukwane, accountable for not executing his legislated duties. We have since written to the office of the Speaker to demand information on the current situation, but no response has been received from the office.

It has become clear that the ANC will protect their own over the ongoing protests that left schools closed and infrastructure vandalized. During a community meeting, the mayor promised that the Speaker would call a special council on 14 February 2023. The meeting was to be held to discuss the removal of the acting Municipal Manager, Dineo Tsikang.

The acting MM has been named in the investigation into the irregular awarding of a paving and electrification tender worth R 40 million.

Unfortunately, the meeting was not called, and community members have taken to the streets again to protest the municipality's inability to deliver services and keep the ANC accountable. During the protest, the local SAPS captain was assaulted.

The deteriorating service delivery challenges in the municipality have left the community without services and months without the provision of water.

The DA will continue pressuring the municipality and the Speaker to provide answers on the matter. Additionally, we call for a council meeting to propose a solution for appointing a permanent municipal manager, as advertisements have already been done.

Issued by Thabo Nthapo - DA Councillor Letsemeng Local Municipality