This is despite the national government having announced that it will be taking over the running and operations of the metro to help it.

ALSO READ: #BreakingNews: Mangaung stripped of its powers by national government 

In the latest developments the mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana, has written to the Acting City Manager (ACM), Mzingisi Nkungwana, demanding that he return all the properties of the metro and that he cease executing his powers as the city manager. This is after Siyonzana dragged the metro's executive council to court this week. 

ALSO READ: Mangaung mayor drags executives to court

Approached for comment, the ACM tells OFM News that the mayor lost the case with the Judge ruling that he created a self-made urgency and the case was struck off the roll on the basis of urgency.

"His application was struck off the roll by a competent court last week Wednesday," he says.

OFM News previously reported that during a five-day oversight visit to the Free State, the National Council of Provinces' (NCOP) permanent delegate, Itumeleng Ntsube, said the current situation at the Metro is due to people longing for power.

ALSO READ: Factions and infighting source of chaos in Mangaung: NCOP

He said the political factions and infighting have been identified as factors derailing the metro.

In the letter directed to Nkumwana, Siyonzana states that "you are called upon to return all assets belonging to the municipality that was given to you when you occupied your position as the director of corporate services and the Acting City Manager.  

"You are further called upon to desist from holding yourself out as the ACM and attempting to render any services in an attempt to perform the responsibilities of the office of the ACM."

But Nkungwana in his answers to OFM News' inquiry says he believes politics are involved.

"I am seen or viewed to belong or come from other factions of which I am not  He has started to hate me also because I have blocked many of his corrupt dealings like this ghost political staff," Nkungwana adds.

He maintains that he is still an employee of the metro. "I was appointed by the council separately from being an HOD. I was appointed because I am competent as required in the law," Nkungwana further adds.

The metro has since advertised the position of ACM.

OFM News