His appointment comes just days before Premier Job Mokgoro will deliver his State of the Province Address. In his new position, Dliso will be expected to hold departments and other state organs in the province accountable.

In contrast, opposition parties in the Free State expressed concern over the appointment of its chairperson of the same committee. DA MP David van Vuuren told OFM News they were not happy with the appointment of Vusi Tshabalala in this position on the grounds that he led the Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality into financial ruin during his term as the Executive Mayor. 

The Maluti- A- Phofung municipality is currently ranked amongst those municipalities with the highest Eskom debt.

OFM News previously reported that the former Maluti-A-Phofung Mayor had also been appointed as the new Free State Legislature’s Chief Whip. He left his position at the municipality after he was recalled by the ANC in the province following violent service delivery protests and calls for his resignation.

The Maluti-A-Phofung municipality is currently ranked amongst those highly indebted to Eskom. It owes the power utility nearly R3 billion and its water board more than R1.2 billion. It is amongst the many that grapples to provide basic services such as refuse collection, water, and electricity to its residents.

Van Vuuren, in an interview with OFM News, said Tshabalala led a municipality that was characterised by maladministration and corruption, hence they are disappointed by the leadership demonstrated by the ANC in electing someone whose moral compass is questionable in their view.

“The Public Accounts Committee has to provide oversight over provincial departments and municipalities in terms of their annual and auditor general reports and thus requires a person of undisputed integrity and high moral character,” said Van Vuuren.

OFM News