By Teboho Moloi
QWAQWA – The Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality is staring down its worst crisis yet: the Sheriff of the Court is set to auction more than 30 municipal vehicles, computers, and an emergency fire engine if a R31 million debt is not paid by 4 September.
The attachment is the latest blow to the already troubled Eastern Free State municipality, which has been listed as dysfunctional by the Minister of CoGTA and has endured a revolving door of mayors, service delivery protests, and frozen equitable shares.
Municipal Manager Advocate Motsohae Mofokeng told an ordinary council sitting on Thursday, 06 August, that the seizure stems from unresolved labour disputes dating back five years involving municipal staff and MAP Water employees.
He told councillors the municipality now owes R31 million, but did not explain how the debt accumulated.
The legal headaches don’t end there. Mofokeng revealed the former municipal manager’s legal team is also demanding the municipality pay R1 million in legal fees related to his arrest by the Hawks years ago.
MAP has already failed in its attempt to appeal the Labour Court ruling.
The Guard has been reliably informed that if payment is not made by the deadline, the Sheriff will auction the assets to recover the money.
That would leave MAP without vehicles to deliver basic services like water, waste removal, and emergency response.
Council has also raised concerns over the Sheriff’s conduct, accusing officials of seizing assets without properly documenting them, meaning not all items are returned.
The seizure included an emergency fire engine — a critical asset in a municipality already battling water and electricity supply crises.
MAP has lost multiple labour court battles, had assets attached before, and continues to face mounting financial pressure.
With the auction deadline looming, residents fear the municipality is now too broke to function.
As one councillor put it: “It doesn’t rain, it pours for MAP.”
One Response
It doesn’t rain it pours indeed