By Teboho Moloi
QWA QWA- MAP16 civic movement has declared its readiness vowing to reclaim victory and win over the Maluti a Phofung local municipality following legal and internal party disputes that have come to a near end following factions that had shown its ugly head for the past years in the movement.
Party leader and recently resigned councillor from the local council Gilbert Mokotso addressing members attending the party mass meeting at Bonamelo college on Thursdays 02 July, said previously two centres of power within the party that existed damaged the party progress and stability of MAP16.
Mokotso said they are now more united and ready to reclaim the Maluti a Phofung municipality once more by winning all 35 wards during the upcoming government elections.
“Even though we know all who were fighting us, we still need them to win over this municipality and control this municipality for better. Our bigger picture now is that MAP16 to lead this municipality not fighting for position,” he said.
He was explaining whether they are considering dismissing those who had contested their leadership by takin them to court which led to existence of another faction within the movement.
Currently the party has Seven PR councillors and 13 ward councillors, making them have a total of 20 seats within the local municipality.
“Soon we will be introducing more leaders and politicians from other parties who left to come and join this movement in aim of working for MAP16 and for us to reach the bigger picture of taking over the municipality, “he said.
Mokotso led faction that held the party convention at Robala Lodge on 30 May 2025 versus the parallel convention held at LalaNathi Lodge in Harrismith led by his fellow comrade Paratlane Motloung.
He highlighted their mistakes when in power of the municipality was to put all their focus to the municipality roles they had and forgot party adminstration issues, allowing coalition government with small parties then.
“We are now more focused and eyeing for the upcoming election to take over Maluti a Phofung again even going as far as district level including province new are capable MAP 16 is capable, “he said.
Mokotso explained that his resignation from the council was to give him more time does not allow him to rebuild the party.
