North West DA MPL Christian Steyl expressed his frustrations during a recent sitting of the legislature, calling the factional disputes a significant obstacle to the recovery of the municipality.

Steyl mentioned growing public frustration, noting that hundreds of residents signed a petition calling for national intervention in Ditsobotla under Section 139 of the Municipal Systems Act.

Dire financial situation in Ditsobotla

“Political factions and infighting continue to be derailing for recovery in the ailing municipality,” Steyl said. “The petition calling for national intervention in Ditsobotla has received more than 3,000 signatures, with more residents joining in support.”

The dire financial situation in Ditsobotla continued to escalate in recent months, with the municipality failing to pay workers’ salaries for the past two months. In addition, the National Treasury has stepped in, issuing a directive to withhold equitable share funding for several municipalities in the province, with Ditsobotla topping the list.

“Considering the collapsed state of Ditsobotla, one wonders why there is forever a fight amongst ANC factions over who wants to be the mayor, who wants to be the speaker, and who should be the municipal manager,” Steyl added.

“One wonders why there is so much appetite to be a mayor in a bankrupt municipality. The only reason for this is to pursue, with aggression, the maintenance of established patronage networks.

Political instability compounded by legal disputes

“My meeting with Deputy Minister Sarupen was encouraging. He undertook to take the pleas of residents to his colleagues and the Cabinet, and we appreciate his efforts,” he added.

The political instability in Ditsobotla has been compounded by legal disputes over leadership roles within the municipality. The North West High Court recently ruled in favour of ANC Cllr Mazwi Moruri as the legitimate mayor, reaffirming Rasupang Moeketsi as the acting municipal manager.

This ruling put an end to a contentious dispute after rival ANC factions appointed different individuals to these positions.

OFM News  previously reported the conflict began when another ANC councillor, Molefe Morutse, was sworn in as the new mayor during a council meeting in Mahikeng earlier this month.

In response to the DA’s concerns, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Oageng Molapisi acknowledged the challenges facing Ditsobotla. He welcomed the concerns raised by the DA, saying the provincial government has devised a comprehensive plan to address the municipality’s issues.

Molapisi also called on the DA to play a constructive role to bring stability to the troubled municipality.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg