An opposition party member has been elected for the second time in a row as mayor of the troubled Sasolburg-based Metsimaholo Local Municipality. 

The African Independent Congress councillor Jack Malindi was elected to replace the DA mayor Jeff Zwane, who was ousted through a motion of no confidence brought by the EFF. On Friday, 22 councillors voted for the removal of Zwane and 12 voted against it.

OFM News previously reported that this report allegedly implicated Zwane and said he interfered with the administration of the municipality and that he had a conflict of interest.

DA Provincial leader Roy Jankielsohn said Metsimaholo is being targeted by the ANC and EFF, not only to cover up previous plundering but also to facilitate more plundering to fund 2024 election campaigns. He said the threat of an ANC and EFF alliance, using candidates from smaller parties as a cover for this, is a real threat to national and provincial spheres of government in 2024.

Metsimaholo's new mayor, Jack Malindi, elected to replace the DA councillor Jeff Zwane. Photo supplied

"The DA minority government has started to show progress after a year and a half of bureaucratic blockages and sabotage by an ANC cadre-based administration. Despite this, the following are some of the DA’s achievements in Metsimaholo.
"The DA has instituted legal action to prevent the municipality's unlawful payments of tens of millions of rands to a developer. These unlawful payments are supported by the ANC and EFF in council," he said.

Jankielsohn once again defended senior officials who were previously placed on suspension. He said the party opposed the unlawful suspensions of senior officials who attempted to prevent the unlawful decision to pay tens of millions to the developer.

DA councillor Jeff Zwane was ousted through a motion of no confidence. Photo supplied

These officials face serious threats to their safety and the DA is determined to fight against such mafia tactics. The DA has recently passed a service-delivery-orientated budget, has curtailed municipal debt to Eskom and, in line with an open and consultative approach in government, opened dialogue with community organisations to identify service delivery blockages and establish partnerships to address backlogs.

Metsimaholo is currently the only local municipality in the Free State on a path to recovery and has the healthiest bank accounts, Jankielsohn said.

OFM News