This comes after Premier Bushy Maape’s provincial government dissolved the troubled municipal council on Thursday 15 September 2022.

ALSO READ: Troubled North West municipal council dissolved

According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Provincial Manager, Dr Tumelontle Thiba, political parties, among others, will contest in 20 wards with residents expected to cast votes at 100 voting stations. She says the registration weekend was on 29 and 30 October 2022, and candidate nominations opened on 4 November. Thiba adds that nominations close on 21 November 2022 and the by-elections will take place on 14 December. 

OFM News previously reported that the municipality alleged that one of the two managers, who was not elected by the council, allegedly had access to the banking system of the municipality. This created trouble for the municipality's financial stability. The province is set to provide further details on the dissolution of this council. Parties set to contest the elections include, among others, the EFF, ANC, Freedom Front Plus (PP+), and DA.

However, the dissolved council of the municipality, a few days later, announced that it will be dragging the Provincial Government to High Court over its dissolution.

ALSO READ: North West municipality takes council dissolution to court

According to a court document seen by OFM News, the council sat on 19 September 2022 and expressed its concern about the fact that the decision to dissolve the council was allegedly taken on incorrect facts and thus premature. In this court application by the council, it says it will also seek an order compelling the National Treasury to release the equitable share freeing up funds for the necessary service delivery. The Ditsobotla Local Municipal Council also resolved to approach the Court to compel the Provincial and National Treasury to release the equitable share, freeing up funds for the necessary service delivery.

“The Council has resolved its internal strife and a united council was re-established on 2 September 2022 with one mayor, Cllr Mokgothu, one Speaker, Cllr Lekaba, one Council Whip, Cllr Monchojang, and one Acting Municipal Manager, Mr T Shema. A request for a seconded acting Municipal Manager from NWPG was made. The nominated seconded candidate was, however, not accepted by the council due to a lack of experience. The council requested another candidate and at the same time requested, in terms of section 154 of the Constitution, for further assistance with a team of experts in finance, infrastructure, planning and development and legal advice to be made available,” council said in a statement.

According to the provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung, the municipality was placed under the provincial government’s care after all interventions failed to restore stability in the municipality, resulting in the total collapse of systems. The municipality had two mayors and two municipal managers (MM), with the council allegedly divided. Setswambung told OFM News that the trouble at this municipality also resulted in it failing to discharge its constitutional obligation and legislative mandate.

OFM News