The Facebook page is closed to at least 80 000 members of the African National Congress (ANC). One of the users reportedly asked the members whom they thought were the biggest sellouts, to which Makhalema replied ''Ramaphosa''.

Makhalema was reportedly rebuked by some members in the Facebook post who accused her of sowing division within the governing party. She reportedly indicated that she did not care if she lost her job and stuck to her guns.

Dihlabeng includes towns such as Bethlehem, Clarens and Fouriesburg.

Ntombela said the disrespect of leaders would not be tolerated.

"On behalf of the Free State Provincial Government, I would like to denounce the utterances by Councillor Makhalema with the highest degree of contempt. As a senior leader in government, executive mayor Makhalema is expected to know that her words amount to the defamation of the character of the President of the Republic. I have already engaged with Councillor Makhalema on her unfortunate remarks, and she has agreed that her conduct was regrettable," Ntombela said in a statement.

ANA