COGTA rejects appointment of Moremi as acting CFO

By Emily Setona

QWAQWA – Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality will soon see a new Acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO) appointed by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), following a damning letter from the department’s Head of Department (HOD) which declared the current acting appointment of Tsietsi Moremi unlawful.

The letter from COGTA HOD Tshepiso Ramakarane, confirms that Moremi does not meet the minimum qualifications required under Section 56(1)(b) of the Municipal Systems Act, making his appointment as Acting CFO irregular and non-compliant with the law.

“The municipal council is being advised to cancel a decision they made on 3 April 2025. This is because the person chosen for the position of the acting CFO does not meet the minimum requirements for the job. Instead, they should ask the Department to temporarily send someone who does qualify, and to do this, they need to hold a special council meeting,” Ramakarane stated.

Ramakarane’s findings come after repeated concerns were raised, most notably by Chief Whip Moeketsi Lebesa during the 3 April council meeting. “I feel vindicated. The letter confirms my concerns regarding Mr. Moremi’s appointment. It also highlights the failure to communicate council resolutions to the MEC and HOD, particularly in the matter involving former CFO Mrs. Mazinyo, where recovery of overpaid salaries was ordered.”

MAP16 councillor Paratlane Motloung acknowledged the letter, stating that MAP16 representatives would formally engage with its contents once it is tabled through the proper council channels.

“MAP16 takes note of the contents of the letter from the HOD of COGTA Free State, that is circulating in the social media. The representatives of MAP16 in council will indulge with the contents of the letter once it’s brought to their attention in the normal cause of the operation of council,” Motloung said.

Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Alison Oates expressed disappointment that regulatory oversight wasn’t exercised earlier. “It is regrettable that this option was not considered before,” she said, calling for the immediate deployment of a qualified acting CFO.

Restoring Order: What Happens Next

The situation has laid bare the municipality’s governance and compliance challenges. But it also presents a critical opportunity to restore public confidence and administrative integrity. The following steps are now essential:

• Deployment of a Qualified Acting CFO

The MEC now has the authority to second a properly qualified individual to fill the acting CFO role. This process should be prioritized to stabilize municipal finances and restore legal order.

• Audit of Senior Appointments

All senior-level appointments made in recent months should undergo a compliance review to ensure they meet legal and regulatory standards.

• Enforcing Proper Communication Protocols

The failure to forward council resolutions to COGTA, especially in the Mazinyo matter, must be corrected. A system must be established to ensure all decisions are transparently and promptly communicated to the relevant authorities.

• Public Accountability and Transparency

The municipality must keep the public informed through regular updates on this process to rebuild trust and demonstrate its commitment to clean governance.

• Capacity Building

Council members and municipal officials should undergo urgent training on legislative requirements and municipal systems to prevent future breaches of this nature.

The exposure of the unlawful appointment is a wake-up call for Maluti-a-Phofung. The opportunity now exists not only to fix a procedural mistake but to reform the culture of governance itself. Only through strict compliance, transparency, and accountability can the municipality move forward with integrity and purpose.