On Friday, members of the council held a closed council sitting where they were set to decide whether to pursue charges against Tankiso Mea, or not, and whether to adopt the investigation report into Mea’s alleged maladministration and misconduct.

In total, 48 council members are said to have voted against the DA’s motion to pursue disciplinary action against Mea, who has since tendered his resignation in June 2021 after he was suspended by council in May 2021. Only 32 voted in favour of the motion. Mea was accused of maladministration and misconduct following complaints from the opposition parties in council about the deterioration of service delivery and the financial stability of the municipality.

According to the DA, the independent investigation led by two senior counsels (SC) - Tebogo Manye and Johan Nel - found that most charges of maladministration and misconduct against Mea were substantiated. It now remains to be seen if the political parties in council would approach the police to open a criminal case against Mea.

OFM News understands that on Wednesday, during a closed council meeting, the council could not agree whether to accept Mea's resignation and thus it opted to seek legal advice over the matter.

According to the Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance in the Mangaung Caucus, David Masoeu, the party notes the resignation of the suspended Mea. The DA previously laid charges of maladministration and misconduct against Mea.

"We are adamant that the only true reason for his resignation is to avoid accountability for his actions. We will make sure that Mea is held accountable for his misconduct and maladministration charges, which was substantiated by the Independent Investigators," Masoeu added.

OFM News