By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – A Maluti-a-Phofung (MAP) special council sitting descended into chaos after a court interdict halted a motion of no confidence against Chief Whip Moeketsi Lebesa.
The Bloemfontein High Court issued the interdict against three respondents: Council Speaker Mandlenkosi Dlamini, Executive Mayor Malekula Melato, and the MAP municipality. The motion, brought by SARKO Councillor Napo Letlala, was blocked on the grounds that Lebesa had not received the required seven-day notice as per council regulations.
Tensions flared when a court sheriff arrived mid-session to serve the interdict. Speaker Dlamini stepped out to receive the document before informing councillors of the legal development. He then instructed the council secretary to read the order aloud, clarifying that it was directed at him personally and not the council as a whole.
Dlamini exercised his authority to adjourn the meeting, urging councillors to consider the legal implications before proceeding. However, this decision sparked further controversy, with some councillors disputing the interdict’s validity and its impact on council proceedings.
MAP16 Councillor Paratlane Motloung criticized the interdict as “poorly written” and rushed, arguing that while it was directed at the speaker, mayor, and municipality, it did not explicitly prohibit the council from proceeding with the motion.
Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality speaker Mandlenkosi Dlamini.
“This interdict reflects desperation. We know the council whip is not acting alone—there are forces behind this. The court order is flawed and hastily prepared. While it names the speaker, mayor, and municipality, it does not prohibit the council from continuing. However, as law-abiding citizens, we must respect it despite its shortcomings,” Motloung said.
AULA Councillor Pitso Thiteli echoed this sentiment, questioning why the motion could not proceed.
“As AULA, representing the unemployed, we reject this interdict. Motions have been brought against other councillors before, including MAP16 members, and they never sought court intervention. Why is this different?” he asked.
In response, Speaker Dlamini provided details of his discussions with Lebesa and legal representatives leading up to the sitting.
“On Monday, the chief whip and I had a nearly hour-long discussion in which he argued that the notice period was insufficient. Our interpretations of the standing rules differed. On Tuesday at 17:15, I received a legal letter from Zwlibanzi Ngququ Inc. demanding a response by 16:30—an impossible deadline. I responded around 19:00, attaching the council’s standing rules.
“This is a stalling tactic. The whip is not acting alone—the mayor and municipal manager are involved. Filing an urgent interdict at the High Court costs R150,000, which the municipality must now cover. Given this, I need to appoint my own attorney, independent of municipal influence, to ensure I am not misled.”
As tensions rose, Motloung proposed that the council officially support Dlamini in his legal action as a sign of confidence in his leadership. ANC Councillor Malefo Mopeloa and MAP16’s Motloung were nominated to represent the council in the legal battle.
The interdict prevented the council from proceeding with the motion on March 12. The court has granted an urgent hearing, with a final ruling expected on April 24, 2025. Until then, all proceedings related to the motion remain suspended.
This latest development further deepens Maluti-a-Phofung’s ongoing political turmoil, where factional battles continue to paralyze governance. With compliance matters on hold until April, the municipality faces yet another period of uncertainty.
