Masilonyana’s mayor is facing mounting pressure from workers and unions calling for her removal from office.

During more than two weeks of protests municipal workers downed tools and refused to return to work until Dimakatso Modise vacated her position.

The tensions within the municipality, based in Theunissen, escalated when it was reported that Modise sought to oust the chief financial officer, sparking employee backlash. Municipal workers’ union Samwu has since thrown its support behind the workers’ demands for the mayor’s removal.

Samwu regional chairperson for Lejweleputswa, Tshepo Kobane, said the ANC leadership in Lejweleputswa indicated during a meeting in the Theunissen town hall on Friday (20/9) that the decision to remove Modise lies with the ANC Free State Provincial Executive Committee (PEC). 

However, there has been no official communication from the PEC regarding Modise’s fate. “As per the last meeting, the issue of the mayor is to be handled through the party’s internal processes, and once a decision is made, it will be communicated to us,” Kobane said. 

‘Until the ANC PEC resolves the matter we are without a mayor’

“For now, we consider ourselves without a mayor in Masilonyana. We condemn the false information circulating that claims Mayor Modise is not going anywhere – those are lies. Until the ANC PEC resolves the matter we are without a mayor.”

Kobane reiterated Samwu had instructed all municipal employees to remain home until further notice. But it expected from specific employees – such as plumbers, process controllers, payroll finance staff, cashiers, and the team assisting HR with applications – to continue working during this period.

Kobane urged support for a planned community march in Brandfort, stressing that the issues affecting residents also impacted them.

“The ANC Regional Executive Committee was clear in our last meeting: the mayor must be removed. Our position remains unchanged – Mayor Modise must go,” Kobane said.

The cash-strapped Masilonyana has also come under fire for mismanagement of public funds. This prompted the Special Investigating Unit to initiate investigations into allegations of maladministration and misconduct. 

The former legal adviser to the ailing municipality, Mogaecho, filed a lawsuit in the High Court in Bloemfontein against Modise and both the former and current municipal managers. 

OFM News has contacted ANC Free State spokesperson, Jabu Mbalula, for comment.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg/mc