Opposition parties plan to oust Mayor Jeff Zwane through a motion of no confidence in this DA-led municipality. Zille is expected to be joined by the Free State Leader and Member of the Provincial Legislature Roy Jankielsohn. Zille, Jankielsohn, and others will show their support for the DA mayor Jeff Zwane following several political developments in the municipality, including plans to oust Zwane through a motion of no confidence.

DA party members picket outside the Metsimaholo Local Municipality in Sasolburg. Photos Supplied

In a statement, Zille said the party wants to prevent the multi-million rand looting of the municipality. This follows the party’s successful interdict to prevent the municipality from making further payments in a multi-million rand looting scheme. She accused opposition parties in the municipality of trying to remove Zwane from office.

“The DA has exposed the unlawful and unethical process by which the ANC/EFF removed an honest official, the Municipal Manager, after he sought to prevent this looting scheme. The ANC/EFF suspended Leaoa Mofokeng when he refused to authorise payments after the ANC/EFF started pushing through initial payments, towards an amount of R35 million, to a trust fund to which the municipality does not owe the money. 

“When Mr Mofokeng took a firm stand against this corruption, he was targeted by the ANC/EFF, who made unsubstantiated allegations against him without following any proper process.”

Members of the ANC and EFF responded to Zille's picket at Metsimaholo. Photo: Supplied

She said these allegations were used to suspend Mofokeng without any regard for the law. “The ANC/EFF then immediately and unlawfully elevated Fusi Motlaung to act as Municipal Manager, following his unlawful initial appointment to the municipality by the ANC in 2019.”

Other political parties, including the ANC and EFF, responded to  Helen Zille's picket in defence of the DA mayor at Metsimaholo. Videographer: Lucky Nkuyane

Within two days of being unlawfully elevated to the position of Acting Municipal Manager, Motlaung allegedly began authorising unlawful payments to the Trust. This was only disclosed after the court demanded that he disclose what payments were made. The DA successfully applied for an urgent interdict to the Free State High Court to stop all further payments. The interdict was granted on Friday, 28 July, Zille said.

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