Council challenges legality of budget

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – The Maluti-a-Phofung council is challenging the legality of the 2023/2024 budget and remuneration of members of the mayoral committee (MMC).

This after the executive mayor of Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality tabled the budget a week after she handed over her resignation letter.
The letter was written on May 10, 2024 and received on May13, 2024 by speaker of Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality, Mandlankosi Dlamini.

But latter, on May 21, 2024, the executive mayor tabled the budget of Maluti-a Phofung local municipality budget.
Lakaje Mosia who was also in the council sitting, said she continued with her duty until June 19, a day before the council sitting where her resignation letter was supposed to be accepted and confirmed by council.

“I was appointed by this council therefore my resignation must also be done in this council. My resignation was effective from June 19, 2024.”
DA councilor Alison Oates said the mayor’s resignation on May 10, 2024 renders all activities handled by her illegal.
“This means the budget that she tabled after May 10, 2024 is illegal, the remuneration received by members of her mayoral committee is illegal and must be recovered.”

Maluti a phofung new executive mayor Malekula Melato and outgoing Masetjhaba Lakaje-Mosia.

His sentiments were echoed by Map16 Civic Movement councilor and former Speaker Paratlane Motloung noted the fact that the letter says she resigns with immediate effect, and the fact that former mayor has admitted that she is the author of the letter.

“We accept what is written on the letter. Whatever you can say to motivate is not recognized. At least you should admit you have erred so that we can find a solution.”
On the other hand, chief whip Moeketsi Lebesa said no law was broken because the author of the letter is present and has the right to retract some of the contents of her letter or explain it further. He said she can even write a new letter.

Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality council sitting.

“We have done that before with Vusi Tshabalala; we waited for him to explain his letter of resignation even though his letter said with immediate effect. Lakaje-Mosia has pronounced herself as having resigned but her last day at work was on June 19, .