Following the ANC’s redeployment of mayors and councillors at the Maluti-A-Phofung, Masilonyana and Dihlabeng Local Municipalities, questions have been mounting as to whether the party would also move her. This coupled with the EFF’s recent tabled motion of no confidence against her, which she according to the opposition survived through an open ballot. During a media briefing on the ANC’s intervention at municipalities, earlier today Provincial Secretary, Paseka Nompondo, refuted allegations that there are plans to redeploy Mlamleli to the Provincial Legislature as the Speaker of the House.

“There is no truth of the mayor’s redeployment. There is no such debate in the PEC of the Free State. We have a capable Speaker, Mamiki Qabathe, who has handled that task very good so far,” said Nompondo.

Mlamleli in the past month faced the wrath of opposition parties as they questioned her capacity amidst the three-week-long electronic server problems of the municipality.

The EFF alleged that the municipality is on the verge of collapse under her administration and that the municipality had reached a point where employees are not paid on time and basic services such as refuse removal cannot be rendered.

EFF’s Baba Sebolao previously told OFM News not much has been achieved under the duo’s leadership as the multimillion-rand taxi rank in the Bloemfontein CBD remains a white elephant. This coupled with the delays in the restoration of the City Hall, which was allegedly torched as a result of Mlamleli’s backtrack on an agreement reached with striking workers last year.

According to the recent Auditor-General report, this municipality is listed amongst the municipalities that have incurred losses through various incomplete projects. It has thus far spent over R140 million on the planning and establishment of the (N8) airport development node, which was started during the 2012/13 financial year, but no further progress has been made up until this stage.

“We do understand the challenges that Mangaung is facing, particularly around the collection of refuse and the leakages, and we have directed the councillors in Mangaung to move with speed to resolve these issues. So, the challenges that are there have received the attention of the mayor and she has been asked, with her employees, to tackle them,” explained Nompondo.

OFM News