Angry residents of Rouxville in the Free State are planning a total shutdown over the lack of response to their demands for the mayor of Mohokare to be removed.

They’ve described the situation at the Zastron-based municipality as a “ticking time bomb,” which has now “exploded in a controlled environment” organised by community structures. In their memorandum, residents claim the council is being run as though it were an executive mayoral system, leading to a series of crises. 

“We gave our public representatives sufficient time to perform to the best of their abilities to provide quality services to the populace,” said community leader Tshediso Sebusi (39). “We came to a point where we realised this council is going to collapse in the hands of the current leadership.”

This issue has persisted for six years.

What was more concerning was that Municipalities like Mohokare Local Municipality seemed to go from a qualifying Municipality to one riddled with instability. The regression of some Municipalities is alarming.

“In the coming weeks pic.twitter.com/jZg7Jv2Rp3

— Free State COGTA and Human Settlements (@FreeCogtaHS) September 3, 2024

Residents were disappointed when Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, who visited the area weeks ago and promised to provide feedback by last Sunday (1/9), failed to do so.

In their memorandum received by Letsoha-Mathae, residents accused the municipality of being unable to appoint qualified personnel. They allege Mayor Zingisa Mgawuli recruits individuals with questionable backgrounds, including the former municipal manager who didn’t meet the unit standards set by the National Treasury.

Concerns were also raised about the qualifications of the HR manager, who allegedly refused to be vetted and removed her file from the municipality due to fraudulent qualifications. Additionally, despite the municipality’s dire financial situation, Mgawuli has been accused of renting cars at exorbitant rates.

Meanwhile, municipal employees have gone months without pay, while third-party payments are outstanding, amounting to R139 million by the end of last year.

Mgawuli previously defended the decision to pay service providers amidst protests by municipal workers over unpaid salaries. She explained that payments were made to those who had provided services to the municipality and blamed a low revenue collection of R1.5 million against a billing amount of R16 million.

Sebusi said residents have struggled with constant water disruptions, sewage spillages, unresolved issues with the bulk water pipeline, and an incomplete water treatment plant.

He accused the mayor of using the previous administration’s alleged maladministration as an excuse for the ongoing problems. Sebusi emphasised that the community demands Mgawuli’s removal from office, accusing her of being arrogant and refusing to meet with residents to resolve the issues.

With no response from the provincial government in the 15 days since the memorandum was handed over, the community plans to stage a total shutdown on Monday (9/9). “Residents won’t back down until the arrogant mayor is removed from office,” vowed Sebusi.

OFM News has contacted the municipality for comment.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg