The motion of confidence spearheaded by her fellow ANC comrades, on Wednesday, raised red flags in the province with many punching holes in the ANC’s style of leadership and the divisions within the party. The ANC’s provincial spokesperson, Thabo Meeko, says the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) has for some time focused on the municipality and issues that it has been faced with.

These include factionalism and infighting within the council, court battles over the appointment of the Municipal Manager, Lindi Molibeli, and the lack of service delivery. Following Wednesday’s developments, Meeko says the PEC convened an urgent meeting with the ANC caucus at the municipality to get a brief as to what might have led to their divisions and are yet to receive a full report from the leadership in the area.

He says they are at this working on measures to stabilise the municipality. Meeko adds that the ANC in the province will soon issue out a briefing as soon as they have concluded their assessment of the situation.

Many of the challenges at the municipality were allegedly caused by the feud between Oliphant and Molibeli, which had been sparked by the mayor’s refusal to approve the municipal manager’s employment contract, due to allegations of corruption and maladministration.

After being appointed by council at the end of November 2017, Molibeli approached the High Court in August for clarity on her appointment. This, as Oliphant allegedly refused to sign her contract, nor her performance agreement placing her position in question.

OFM News