This is according to the party’s provincial spokesperson, Thabo Meeko, who told OFM News earlier that the ANC in the region has already presented its concerns on Mlamleli to the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), which is yet to finalise the matter.

OFM News previously reported the ANC in the Mangaung region in the Free State has confirmed that it has written to the party’s Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) to express its dissatisfaction with how Mlamleli, executes her duties in the region.

Yesterday, political analyst Sethulego Matebesi told OFM News in an interview that while rumours suggest that the party wants Mlamleli recalled from her position, it is unlikely that she will be removed without extensive deliberations from within the party. OFM News’ Pulane Choane reports that true to Matebesi’s predictions, Meeko says the party still has to further discuss the matter before it can pronounce its final decision.

Meeko said that while there is no exact timeline as to by when they would have made their decision, at this point in time, the party is focused on ensuring that it wins the upcoming Maluti-A-Phofung by-elections in Phuthaditjhaba, following which they will then give this matter attention. He also said that the PEC intends to further discuss these issues before finalising the matter. He added that the party in the province would also be zooming in on other troubled municipalities in the province, including among others, Mangaung.

The by-elections will take place on 28 August 2019 in fifteen wards in the Maluti-A-Phofung area, where 16 ANC councillors were expelled by the party following the alleged failure to adhere to party instructions during the election of the executive mayor, Gilbert Mokotso. The disgraced councillors, who have since broken away from the party, are accused of voting with opposition parties in a motion of no confidence to remove mayor Vusi Tshabalala in June last year.

OFM News earlier this week reported that the 16 former councillors launched the “Maluti-A-Phofung 16” political party on Tuesday at the Tshiya Resource Centre, in Qwaqwa, Free State, where they threw away ANC T-shirts, in a symbolic gesture, indicating their divorce from the party. The newly formed party is made up of the 16 expelled councillors, including the former mayor, Gilbert Mokotso, and former speaker, Malewatle Nthedi, who will still be leading the team through the upcoming by-elections. Parties that will be contesting the elections include among others, the African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, African People’s Convention, as well as the independent candidates.

Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has on its website stated that special voting will take place at voting stations as well as through home visits on 27 August 2019 between 08h00 and 17h00. Voters wishing to apply to cast a special vote can apply at their local IEC office during office hours between 12 and 16 August 2019. Over 90 voting stations in 15 wards will be used during the by-elections.

 OFM News