New MAP Mayor faces baptism of fire

By Emily Setona

QWAQWA – Executive mayor Malekula Melato and her newly appointed mayoral committee in Maluti-a-Phofung (MAP) have their work cut out for them as they seek to restore administrative stability in the local municipality that is plagued by maladministration and corruption.

This was top of the agenda during an ordinary council sitting that was held in the council chamber on Thursday 4 July.
Melato introduced her new mayoral committee which the council immediately tasked with the responsibility of finding practical, impactful and immediate solutions to many of the service delivery problems destroying the community of MAP.

“The municipality needs solutions that will be implemented now, because both Eskom and MAPWater have presented to us the challenges facing the municipality when it comes to providing adequate electricity and water to our people. I want the council to discuss these situations now as sitting with the MM and CFO at a later stage will put pressure on me because you as council will be asking me for a report on an action plan that we can implement very soon.”

Melato said while addressing the council after representatives of both Eskom and MAPWater made their presentations to council on what the challenges are regarding electricity and water and what possible solutions to remedy the situation are.

Council chief whip Moeketsi Lebesa echoed the sentiments of most of the councillors when he said it is almost as if the council is playing and lying to themselves because no clear and decisive decisions are being made to fix the situation in MAP, and this is very devastating for all residents including themselves as councillors and elected leaders of this community.

“We cannot wish our problems away, and if we are not honest, we will keep on lying to ourselves and we will have stress and suffer from depression and continue to fight amongst ourselves as councillors,” Lebesa said.

On behalf of the new Mayco, Councillor Mary Crockett said they will let the Troika lead the way then they come up with solutions together.

“With all these issues presented to us today I think it will be wise for us to allow the Troika to lead the way then seek the help and intervention of the province; that is what I am suggesting as a new MMC,” Crockette said.

Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality executive mayor Malekula Melato.

The following are the 10 councillors who make up Melato’s mayoral committee (MMC) and portfolios; councillor Peter Khumalo MMC for Finances; Mary Crockett MMC for Social Development; Mamorena Bohlale MMC for Corporate Services; Neo Motaung MMC for Water and Sanitation; Napo Letlala MMC for Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Performance Management System (PMS); Ellen Mofokeng MMC for Public Safety; Masetjhaba Lakaje-Mosia MMC for Local Economic Development (LED); Bridget Lebesa MMC for Community Services; Harry Mdakane MMC for Land and Human Settlements; and Ditaba Nhlapo MMC for Electricity and Road Infrastructure.