The Municipal Council meeting that was supposed to take place in Masilonyana on Tuesday, to iron out issues concerning mayor Kunatu Stephen Koalane’s position, did not take place.

Theunissen municipal spokesperson, Zongezile Ntswabule, said there was no council meeting and no discussion took place regarding the issue of the mayor. Contrary to what the municipal spokesperson said, the Theunissen residents’ spokesperson, Tshepo Maredi, reported that they were informed the council meeting was cancelled due to the fact that the council has to consult ANC branches on the issue of the Masilonyana mayor and the municipal manager’s positions.

It was reported by OFM News that the Head of the Free State Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mokete Duma, had confirmed that the were some legal issues regarding the reappointment of the mayor in Masilonyana. He added that the reappointment of the mayor was not in line with the Municipal Structures Act.

The municipality, which includes the towns of Theunissen and Winburg, has been facing protest action by community members for the past couple of weeks. On Sunday, Theunissen residents held a meeting in which the community concluded that they will let the council finalise the matter of the mayor, including the outstanding issue of the municipal manager, Maredi explained.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi