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The Democratic Alliance (DA) today in the Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts and Finance (PROPAC) requested that former Executive Mayor of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality Olly Mlamleli be removed from the meeting meant to deliberate and conduct oversight over the audited financial statements of some municipalities in the Free State.

Following a motion of no confidence last year, Olly Mlamleli was removed as Mayor in Mangaung and is currently sitting in on PROPAC in her capacity as the Provincial Chairperson on SALGA. Olly Mlamleli was also arrested in September last year by the Hawks and criminally charged on issues of corruption relating to the controversial asbestos housing contract during her tenure as MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure in the Free State.

Under the tenure of Olly Mlamleli as Mayor in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, the rating agency Moody's downgraded the municipality to B3 in August 2019, citing that the municipality's service delivery could collapse if there was no immediate intervention. It was downgraded again to Caa1 in January 2020 over concerns of poor liquidity.

The DA requested the PROPAC committee to remove Olly Mlamleli from the meeting because her mere attendance would compromise the integrity of a committee who is mandated to conduct oversight over municipal finances and ensure that revenue and expenditure at local government is accounted for.

Despite the DA’s request to the PROPAC committee for the removal of Olly Mlamleli from these meetings, the ANC and EFF supported calls to keep her on the meetings.

It is unthinkable and rather shameful that an individual who has been criminally charged on issues of corruption can participate in a committee meant to ensure that all revenue and expenditure is accounted for.

Free Staters will remember the looting, corruption and maladministration later this year when they make an informed decision at the ballot box at this year’s Local Government Elections.

Issued by The DA