| Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbite in English and Afrikaans by DA Councillor Don van Zyl, Maquassie Hills Local Municipality.
Municipal workers in the Maquassie Hills Local Municipality downed tools following a decision by the ANC-led Council to place the Municipal Manager, Jeffrey Leseisane, on forced leave and precautionary suspension pending an investigation. Workers are protesting over political interference in the administration of the municipality. This unfortunately brought service delivery to a halt. Municipal offices, including the Traffic Department, are closed due to the strike action, which means residents cannot service their municipal accounts or follow up on service delivery requests and car registration and driver’s licence applications. Refuse removal, repairs to sewage leaks, and responses to water and electricity supply disruptions have all been stopped. The allegation against the Municipal Manager appears to be frivolous and seems to be part of an ANC factional battle to replace him with a candidate from the leading ANC faction. His contract is set to expire in October 2022. The ANC accuses the Municipal Manager of irregular recruitment practises and alleged unknown payments to contractors and service providers. Which is the norm after elections when one new ANC faction is elected and they want to replace officials with their own preferred candidates. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Maquassie Hills will request a meeting with the Mayor, Cllr Mzwandile Feliti, the Speaker, Cllr Sarah Nkatlo, and the MEC for COGTAHS, Lenah Miga MPL, to bring an end to the political interference caused by ANC Councillors that leads to a lack of service delivery within the municipality. It is urgent that this issue is resolved without delay so that service delivery can be restored. |